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

CSU Stanislaus graduates in this program face a rocky financial start but experience remarkable recovery. First-year earnings of $25,414 sit below both the California median ($28,094) and national average ($30,554), placing this program in just the 12th percentile nationally. However, by year four, earnings nearly double to $46,443—outpacing every California program in the comparison group, including private universities charging significantly more. This 83% earnings growth suggests graduates may start in entry-level or part-time positions before moving into better-paying roles in teaching, fitness management, or related fields.

The debt picture offers real advantages. At $17,085, graduates carry about $8,700 less than California peers and almost $9,000 less than the national median. This lower debt burden makes the difficult first year more manageable and means the strong year-four earnings translate into genuine financial progress rather than debt servicing. With 55% of students receiving Pell grants, the school clearly serves a population where minimizing debt matters.

If your child can weather the initial low earnings—perhaps living at home or working multiple jobs—this program delivers solid outcomes by year four at a fraction of the cost of comparable California programs. The key question is whether your family can provide financial support during that challenging first year after graduation.