Health and Physical Education/Fitness at CUNY Lehman College

CUNY Lehman College graduates in Health and Physical Education with first-year earnings of $29,538—not great, but more competitive than the numbers first suggest. While this trails the national median slightly, it beats the typical New York program in this field by over $2,000 and ranks in the 60th percentile statewide. For students in the Bronx working toward PE teaching or fitness careers, that local context matters more than national comparisons to programs in lower cost-of-living states.

The real story here is affordability. With just under $11,000 in debt at graduation—less than half what most Health and Physical Education grads owe—Lehman students face a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates can realistically handle loan payments even on entry-level salaries, a crucial advantage given that 61% of Lehman students receive Pell grants. The program serves its mission well: providing accessible pathways into education and fitness professions for students who often carry significant financial constraints.

For families considering this program, the question is simple: Can your student leverage Lehman's low cost and New York City location to land a teaching position or fitness management role? If so, the minimal debt load makes this a defensible choice, especially compared to more expensive SUNY options that deliver similar starting salaries. The earnings won't impress, but neither will the loan payments.