Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Graceland University-Lamoni

Graceland's Health and Physical Education program struggles to compete even within Iowa's modest market for this field. While graduates earn $34,074 at the state median, Graceland students start at just $22,051—landing in the bottom 10% statewide and trailing every top program in Iowa by significant margins. The $27,000 in debt matches the state median, but when paired with such low initial earnings, it creates a debt load larger than that first year's salary.

The dramatic 92% earnings jump to $42,250 by year four offers some relief and eventually pushes graduates above both state and national benchmarks. However, those early years matter significantly when loan payments begin six months after graduation. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty—a handful of different outcomes could shift these numbers substantially in either direction.

For families considering this program, understand you're likely facing a financially challenging start regardless of how committed your student is to physical education or coaching. If your child has admission offers from Iowa State, Grand View, or similar programs where graduates start earning $14,000+ more annually, those alternatives warrant serious consideration. The eventual earnings recovery doesn't fully offset beginning your career at poverty-level wages while carrying nearly $30,000 in debt.