Health and Physical Education/Fitness at California Baptist University

California Baptist's Health and Physical Education program ranks in the 80th percentile among California schools and 82nd nationally—impressive positioning for a field where many graduates struggle to break $30,000 in their first year. With starting earnings of $35,328, graduates here earn about 26% more than the California median of $28,094 and consistently outpace national benchmarks. The $6,000 increase by year four suggests graduates find stable employment, likely in teaching or coaching positions with steady progression.

The debt picture requires nuance. At $27,449, graduates carry about $7,500 more than the California median for this program, though this still translates to a manageable 0.78 debt-to-earnings ratio—lower than what you'd see in many other fields. The real question is whether the premium matters: you're paying more than at Cal State East Bay (where debt is typically lower), but earning nearly identical amounts at graduation. The 41% Pell grant rate suggests the university serves many middle-income families who may be stretching to afford private school tuition.

For families who can handle the modest debt load without financial strain, this program delivers solid outcomes in a competitive California market. But if minimizing debt is the priority—particularly if your child plans to teach in public schools with defined salary schedules—investigating whether lower-cost public options offer comparable career placement makes sense.