Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Farmingdale State College

Farmingdale State's physical education program demonstrates something you don't often see: graduates who start behind but catch up quickly. While first-year earnings of $29,717 barely edge above the state median, four years out these graduates earn $50,423—well ahead of both New York's $27,412 median and the national benchmark of $30,554. That 70% earnings jump suggests graduates are successfully moving into better-paying roles, likely shifting from entry-level coaching or training positions into teaching jobs with full benefits.

The debt picture here is notably stronger than most competitors. At $18,500, it's about $7,000 below the state median and ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt. Within New York, this puts Farmingdale in the 60th percentile for earnings while charging less than almost every comparable program, including higher-earning options like St. John Fisher and SUNY Oneonta that likely come with steeper price tags.

For families looking at teaching or fitness careers in the New York area, this represents solid value. Your child won't start strong, but the debt load is manageable enough to handle those lean early years, and the trajectory shows clear upward movement. The key question is whether they can weather that first year or two while building experience and credentials needed for better-paying positions.