Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Iowa State University

Iowa State's Health and Physical Education program shows why strong career trajectory matters as much as starting salary. While graduates begin at $36,492—solid but not spectacular for Iowa—they reach $53,773 by year four, a 47% jump that significantly outpaces typical growth in this field. That puts ISU in the 90th percentile nationally, though it's worth noting they rank closer to 60th percentile within Iowa, where several smaller private colleges push starting salaries a bit higher.

The $25,425 debt load is manageable given the earnings picture. That 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than one year's starting income, and by year four they're earning more than twice their debt. This is particularly relevant for physical education majors who often start in teaching or coaching roles with structured salary schedules that build over time—ISU graduates appear well-positioned for that progression.

For the price of a large public university with an 89% admission rate, this represents solid value. Your child won't have the highest starting salary among Iowa PE graduates, but they'll be in strong position for career growth with debt that won't constrain their choices. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier results—this is the consistent ISU outcome.