Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Lakeland University

Lakeland University's Health and Physical Education program posts first-year earnings that crush both state and national benchmarks—$41,427 versus a Wisconsin median of $32,801—placing it in the 80th percentile statewide. That's impressive positioning for a program at a school with a 91% admission rate. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these results might not be typical, and the earnings trajectory tells a more complicated story.

The concerning pattern here is the decline: graduates see their median earnings drop 12% by year four, falling to $36,280. That's unusual for any bachelor's program and suggests graduates may be starting in higher-paying roles they don't maintain—perhaps coaching positions that prove temporary or fitness industry jobs with high turnover. The $24,225 debt load is reasonable (below the state median of $27,000), but only if those early earnings prove sustainable.

For parents, the small sample makes this a gamble. If your child matches the profile of recent successful graduates, they could launch ahead of peers from Wisconsin's flagship programs. But the earnings decline pattern suggests they'll need a clear career strategy beyond their first job. Don't commit based on these numbers alone—talk to current students and recent alumni about where they actually land and whether those positions offer growth paths.