Health and Physical Education/Fitness at East Central University

East Central University's health and physical education program starts slow but shows meaningful momentum—first-year earnings of $29,616 climb 28% to nearly $38,000 by year four. That trajectory matters in a field where many graduates begin as teachers or fitness professionals with structured pay scales. However, among Oklahoma's 21 programs in this field, East Central ranks in just the 40th percentile, trailing state leaders like Oklahoma State ($35,437) and University of Central Oklahoma ($33,125) by significant margins even at the four-year mark.

The debt picture offers a partial offset: at $21,200, graduates borrow slightly less than the state median and substantially less than the national average of $25,757. That 0.72 debt-to-earnings ratio means the typical graduate owes less than one year's starting salary—manageable if they enter teaching or coaching positions with clear advancement paths. Still, the combination of below-median state earnings and middling national placement (42nd percentile) suggests this program doesn't position graduates as competitively as its in-state peers.

For families prioritizing affordable credentials in education or fitness, East Central delivers reasonable value through controlled borrowing. But if your child aims to maximize earning potential in this field within Oklahoma, the data points toward programs at larger state universities that consistently produce stronger earnings outcomes from day one.