Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Bowie State University

Bowie State graduates in this program earn more than 89% of health and physical education majors nationwide, though within Maryland they fall closer to the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. That $36,381 first-year salary substantially outpaces both the national median ($30,554) and Maryland's state median ($31,403), landing them behind only McDaniel College and Towson among Maryland programs. For a school serving a heavily Pell-eligible student body (44%), these earnings represent meaningful economic mobility.

The debt picture is manageable: at $26,250, graduates carry roughly typical debt for this field, and the 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests they're borrowing less than one year's salary. This is reasonable leverage for a career in fitness, physical education, or health promotion—fields where six-figure earnings aren't the norm but stable employment often is.

The major caveat here is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers could shift considerably year to year. A few graduates landing coaching positions or corporate wellness roles could inflate the median, while a cohort pursuing substitute teaching might depress it. For families considering this program, the strong national ranking is encouraging, but recognize these figures may not be as stable as data from larger programs. The combination of above-average earnings and manageable debt makes this worth serious consideration, particularly for students already drawn to Bowie State's campus and community.