Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Hardin-Simmons University

Hardin-Simmons graduates in this program start at $30,789—essentially matching the national median but lagging behind the Texas median by $1,640. More concerning, this places the program in just the 40th percentile among Texas schools, meaning 60% of comparable in-state programs deliver better early earnings. For context, top Texas programs like Rice and Lubbock Christian place graduates earning $46,000-$51,000 in their first year, while even mid-tier options like West Texas A&M reach $40,000.

The positive story here is trajectory: earnings jump 46% to $45,010 by year four, suggesting graduates eventually find their footing in coaching, athletic training, or fitness management roles. The debt load of $26,850 is manageable—lower than most bachelor's programs nationally—and the 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than one year's starting salary.

The critical caveat is sample size. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a few outliers could skew these numbers significantly. That said, the pattern suggests this program functions as a decent but unremarkable option for students committed to staying in Texas and working in fitness education. If your child can access higher-ranked Texas programs, the earning potential appears notably stronger. For families prioritizing faith-based education in Abilene specifically, the debt burden won't be crushing, but temper expectations about immediate post-graduation income.