Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Emory University

Emory's Health and Physical Education program delivers something rare: outcomes that justify an elite private school price tag. With first-year graduates earning $37,974—nearly $8,000 above the Georgia median and $7,400 above the national benchmark—this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally. Even more impressive, it achieves these results with just $19,883 in median debt, roughly $6,000 less than typical Georgia graduates in this field carry.

The earnings trajectory here matters as much as the starting point. Four years out, graduates are earning $52,404, representing 38% growth and putting them well ahead of the state's top-ranked program at University of North Georgia ($36,740). That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates owe about six months' salary—manageable territory that gets easier as earnings grow. Among Georgia's 30 programs in this field, Emory ranks in the 80th percentile, and the gap widens over time as its graduates advance into higher-paying roles in athletic administration, corporate wellness, or clinical positions.

The moderate sample size reflects this program's selective nature, but the pattern is clear: Emory's network and credential open doors in health and fitness careers that often stay closed to graduates from less competitive institutions. If your child is seriously interested in this field and can handle Emory's academic rigor, the financial return makes this a legitimate option rather than an expensive detour.