Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Dallas Baptist University

The standout feature here is the 37% earnings growth from year one to year four—graduates who start at $29,344 reach $40,267, suggesting this program opens doors that take time to unlock. That's meaningful in a field where many entry positions (coaching, teaching assistant roles) pay modestly before leading to full-time positions or administrative opportunities.

However, both nationally and within Texas, this program sits squarely at the 40th percentile, meaning 60% of similar programs produce higher early earnings. The Texas median is $32,429, about $3,000 more than DBU grads earn initially. The gap widens considerably when you look at the state's top performers—Rice and Lubbock Christian graduates earn 50-70% more. While debt is manageable at $24,625 (slightly below the Texas median), you're still borrowing roughly 10 months of first-year salary.

For a student committed to physical education or fitness careers, DBU provides a path that improves notably over time. The 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming, and the trajectory suggests graduates find their footing. But families should understand this is a below-median performer in a field that already pays modestly. If your child has options at stronger programs—particularly public universities where in-state tuition could reduce debt—those warrant serious consideration. This works best for students who value DBU's environment and are prepared for a financially lean first few years.