Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Defiance College

Defiance College's health and physical education program comes with two important warnings: a limited data sample (under 30 graduates) and earnings that lag behind Ohio competitors. Starting at $30,147, graduates earn about $3,000 less than the typical Ohio program in this field and fall in the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six out of ten comparable programs in the state produce better first-year outcomes. Compare this to nearby options like Ohio State ($36,592) or Miami University ($40,486), and the gap becomes harder to justify, even accounting for Defiance's lower sticker price.

The $27,000 debt load is reasonable—exactly matching Ohio's median and ranking in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning it's lower than 95% of similar programs). The 20% earnings growth to $36,094 by year four shows some momentum, but you're still making less than you would starting out at several other Ohio schools. For a family considering this investment, the question becomes whether Defiance's smaller environment and potential fit justify accepting below-average Ohio earnings. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, suggesting the school serves students who may have fewer alternatives, but families with geographic flexibility should seriously explore those higher-earning Ohio programs before committing here.