Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Keystone College

Keystone's Health and Physical Education program ranks near the bottom among Pennsylvania schools—both 10th percentile statewide and 5th percentile nationally—with first-year earnings of just $21,026. That's $10,000 below Pennsylvania's median for this field and nearly $10,000 below the national benchmark. While earnings do climb 65% to $34,699 by year four, graduates are still earning less than many of their peers made in year one. Comparable Pennsylvania programs at Alvernia and Lebanon Valley start graduates at $40,000+, suggesting Keystone's career placement or regional employer connections may be limiting outcomes.

The debt picture isn't catastrophic—$26,981 sits close to typical levels for this major—but owing more than a full year's starting salary creates immediate financial pressure for graduates likely entering teaching or fitness roles with modest pay scales. That 1.28 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face tight budgets during their early career years, precisely when many are trying to establish independence.

One important caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes vary more than usual. However, the gap between Keystone and other Pennsylvania programs is too wide to ignore. For families considering this degree, investigate why outcomes lag so far behind state peers—it could signal weaker internship networks, limited employer relationships, or graduates concentrated in lower-paying positions. Pennsylvania offers numerous alternatives in this field with substantially better starting salaries.