Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Lander University

Lander's health and physical education program starts with a challenging first year—$27,155 puts it below both state and national medians—but graduates see meaningful income growth, reaching $36,557 by year four. That 35% jump matters because the initial earnings struggle is temporary rather than permanent, though it's worth noting that first-year salary barely covers debt payments under standard repayment terms.

The program sits in the middle of South Carolina's pack (40th percentile), trailing flagships like USC ($40,702) and The Citadel ($43,727) by significant margins. However, at $24,995 in debt, students here borrow slightly less than both state and national medians, which partially offsets the lower initial earnings. The real challenge is breaking into the field: many health and PE graduates start in entry-level coaching or education roles that take several years to mature into better-paying positions.

For families considering this program, understand that your child will likely face a financially tight first year or two after graduation. The earnings trajectory improves, but this path requires patience and probably a side job initially. If your student is passionate about coaching, teaching, or fitness—and willing to grind through lean early years—the debt load here is manageable. If they're uncertain about the field, programs at USC or The Citadel offer substantially better starting salaries that could make the transition to working life less stressful.