Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Bridgewater College

Bridgewater College's Health and Physical Education program shows something many families overlook: a modest starting salary doesn't tell the whole story. That $30,243 first-year figure barely cracks the state median, but by year four, graduates earn $48,591—a 61% jump that suggests graduates are moving beyond entry-level coaching or teaching assistant roles into positions with real earning power.

Within Virginia, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, placing it solidly above the state median of $29,068, though still trailing the top performers like Longwood ($39,479) and Shenandoah ($37,676). The $27,000 debt load is modest and manageable—less than one year's starting salary and in the 5th percentile nationally for debt burden. For a field often associated with lower starting wages, keeping debt this controlled matters significantly.

The practical reality: your child will likely need to supplement income during those first couple years, whether through summer work, coaching stipends, or side gigs common in the fitness industry. But the earnings trajectory shows graduates aren't stuck—they're advancing. If your child is passionate about physical education or fitness and wants to avoid crushing debt while building toward a middle-class income, this program delivers on that promise. Just know they're not choosing this path for the starting salary.