Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Dean College

Dean College graduates with this degree earn $28,609 their first year—roughly $5,000 below the Massachusetts median for health and physical education programs. While the debt load of $27,000 matches the state average and is actually lower than most comparable programs nationally, those earnings put this program below 60% of Massachusetts competitors. That gap widens when you look at top programs in the state: UMass-Boston and Fitchburg State graduates are earning $9,000-10,000 more annually right out of the gate.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.94 isn't alarming on its face—you're not borrowing significantly more than your first-year salary. But in a field where starting salaries are modest across the board, every dollar of earning potential matters for paying down loans and building financial stability. Students entering teaching, coaching, or fitness instruction roles need to be realistic about early-career budgets.

For families considering Dean, the question becomes whether the smaller college environment justifies the earnings discount compared to state universities. If your student thrives in that setting and has clear career goals in this field, it can work—but they should minimize borrowing beyond the $27,000 median. If cost is the primary concern, the state schools offer measurably better return on investment in this particular program.