Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Carroll University

Carroll University's Health and Physical Education program shows something parents rarely see in this field: dramatic salary growth that makes early-year struggles worthwhile. While the $33,333 starting salary sits slightly below what anxious parents hope for, graduates nearly double their income by year four, reaching $60,982—well above Wisconsin's median of $32,801 and placing this program in the 60th percentile statewide. That 83% earnings jump suggests graduates are moving beyond entry-level coaching or fitness instructor roles into higher-paying athletic director, program coordinator, or specialized training positions.

The debt picture makes this trajectory more manageable than it first appears. At $27,000, borrowing matches both state and national averages for this major, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 that's entirely reasonable—especially given where salaries land by year four. This isn't University of Wisconsin-Platteville's $46,000+ outcomes, but Carroll graduates appear to be developing skills and credentials that unlock better opportunities over time rather than plateauing early.

For families choosing between Wisconsin programs, Carroll occupies a sensible middle ground: stronger long-term growth than most state options, with debt levels that don't constrain that upward mobility. If your child is willing to grind through lower-paying early years (typical in this field), this program demonstrates a clear path to earnings that exceed what most PE/fitness majors achieve.