Health and Physical Education/Fitness at California Lutheran University

Cal Lutheran graduates in Health and PE start modestly at $33,818, but here's what matters: they see 45% earnings growth by year four, reaching $49,062. That jump is significant and suggests the program opens doors to coaching positions, athletic director roles, or corporate wellness jobs that take a few years to access. Among California's 48 programs in this field, Cal Lutheran ranks at the 60th percentile—solidly above the state median of $28,094 and competitive with much larger state universities.

The $25,000 debt load sits right at the national median but runs higher than California's typical $19,870, likely reflecting private school tuition. Still, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74 in year one, graduates aren't buried—and as earnings climb toward $50,000, that debt becomes increasingly manageable. The moderate sample size (30-100 grads) means these numbers are reasonably reliable, though not as rock-solid as data from massive programs.

For parents weighing options, Cal Lutheran represents a middle-ground choice: you'll pay more than at a CSU, but graduates are keeping pace with or outpacing their peers at similar private schools like Pepperdine. If your child is serious about building a career in fitness, athletics, or wellness—not just coaching high school PE—the trajectory here justifies the investment better than the starting salary alone might suggest.