Health and Physical Education/Fitness at California State University-Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton's Health and Physical Education program starts graduates at just $23,543—well below both national ($30,554) and California ($28,094) medians for the field. While this ranks in only the 5th percentile nationally, the program shows remarkable earning potential with 91% growth by year four, reaching $44,977. This catapults graduates well above typical program outcomes and even surpasses some prestigious private universities like Pepperdine ($34,388) by the four-year mark.

The debt picture provides significant relief for families. At $14,481, graduates carry roughly half the typical debt load seen nationally ($25,757) and substantially less than the California average ($19,870). This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62, meaning students can realistically pay off loans even with the modest starting salary. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates makes these figures reliable.

For parents, this program represents a compelling long-term investment despite the rocky start. Yes, your child will likely struggle financially in their first job, but the trajectory strongly favors patience. The combination of low debt and strong earning growth creates a path to financial stability that many higher-ranked programs can't match. If your student can weather the initial low pay—perhaps with family support or part-time work—this program delivers solid value.