Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Grace College and Theological Seminary

Grace College's health and physical education program costs less than typical for-profit ventures in this field, but Indiana families should recognize they're paying for something different than the typical state outcome. With first-year earnings around $32,500 and debt just over $23,000, the numbers work—graduates owe about nine months' salary, which is manageable. However, while this beats the national median by $2,000, it falls $2,000 short of Indiana's state median for the same program. That 40th percentile ranking means more than half of Indiana's health ed programs launch graduates into better-paying positions.

The stagnant earnings trajectory raises questions about career progression. Between year one and year four, median pay actually dips slightly to $31,798, suggesting graduates may be landing in roles with limited advancement potential—perhaps assistant coaching or fitness instruction positions rather than higher-paying athletic training or program director tracks. The sample size is small (fewer than 30 graduates tracked), so individual circumstances heavily influence these numbers, but the pattern is worth noting when Indiana programs like Valparaiso and University of Indianapolis place graduates earning $38,000 to $45,000.

For families considering Grace College specifically for its faith-based mission or campus culture, these economics shouldn't be a dealbreaker—the debt load is reasonable and employment appears steady. But if the primary goal is maximizing earning potential in health education, Indiana offers stronger financial returns elsewhere in the state.