Health and Physical Education/Fitness at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's Health and Physical Education program shows a rocky start but transforms into solid value by year four. That first-year salary of $28,364 is tough—below even the national average for this field—but earnings nearly double to $50,462 within four years, leapfrogging both state and national benchmarks significantly. Among California's 48 programs in this field, it ranks at the 60th percentile, meaning it outperforms most in-state options despite the slow launch.

The financial picture here is unusually favorable. With just $15,000 in median debt—far below both the state median ($19,870) and national median ($25,757)—graduates carry one of the lightest debt burdens among comparable programs nationwide. That low debt cushions the weak initial earnings, keeping the debt manageable even during those challenging first years.

For families, this means accepting a year or two of modest earnings in exchange for eventual solid pay without crushing debt. That 78% earnings jump suggests graduates are likely moving from entry-level fitness or coaching positions into better-compensated roles—perhaps teaching positions with benefits or specialized training roles. The affordable debt load makes this transition period far less stressful than at pricier alternatives like Pepperdine or Saint Mary's, where you'd face similar early-career uncertainty but with significantly more debt.