Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Chowan University

Chowan's Health and Physical Education program saddles graduates with above-average debt ($31,581 versus $26,726 statewide) while delivering earnings that lag behind most competitors. That first-year salary of $25,983 falls roughly $1,600 below North Carolina's median for this major and ranks in just the 15th percentile nationally. Among the 44 schools offering this program in North Carolina, Chowan sits squarely in the middle—but that's hardly reassuring when top NC programs like Meredith College produce graduates earning nearly 50% more.

The saving grace here is trajectory: earnings jump to $38,326 by year four, a 48% increase that eventually surpasses both state and national benchmarks. This growth pattern suggests graduates may start in lower-paying positions (think assistant coaching or entry-level fitness roles) before moving into head coaching or administrative positions. However, you're still carrying $31,581 in debt while earning under $26,000 in year one, which makes those early years financially tight.

For families considering this program, the question boils down to whether the eventual salary rebound justifies the rough start. If your child has strong connections in North Carolina athletics or specific career goals where Chowan's network matters, it could work out. But if they're accepted at UNC Charlotte or NC State—where graduates earn $8,000-$9,000 more right out of the gate—those options offer a clearer path to managing college debt from day one.