Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Coker University

Coker's Health and Physical Education program lands squarely in the middle of South Carolina's field—literally at the 60th percentile statewide—but trails far behind the state's top options. While first-year earnings of $28,319 start modestly, they jump 38% to over $39,000 by year four, suggesting graduates gain traction as they build experience. The debt load of $26,475 is manageable relative to those improving earnings, with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0.

The challenge here is one of missed opportunity. Top programs in South Carolina—like The Citadel and USC-Columbia—produce graduates earning $40,000+ right out of the gate, nearly 50% more than Coker's median. Even mid-tier options like Newberry deliver stronger outcomes. For a family paying comparable costs across South Carolina schools, Coker's program doesn't offer a clear advantage beyond its extremely high acceptance rate.

The small sample size makes these figures less reliable, but the pattern is consistent: adequate outcomes for students who need an accessible entry point, yet significantly weaker earning potential than competitors charging similar tuition. If your child has the grades for USC or The Citadel, those programs deliver substantially better return. Coker works as a fallback option, not a first choice.