Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College's Health and Physical Education program places graduates near the top of their field, with first-year earnings of $39,243—roughly $8,000 above the state median and nearly $9,000 above the national average. In Pennsylvania, only Alvernia University's graduates earn more, putting this program in the 80th percentile statewide. At the same time, the $27,000 in typical debt matches Pennsylvania's median and sits well below national norms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69 that suggests manageable repayment.

The crucial caveat here: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these results may not hold steady year after year. Still, the pattern is encouraging. Many physical education programs struggle to generate strong early earnings, but Lebanon Valley's graduates appear to be finding better-paying positions right out of college—possibly in school districts or organizations that value their specific preparation.

For parents wondering if this program justifies its cost, the numbers lean positive. Your child would graduate with slightly less debt than Pennsylvania peers while earning significantly more, assuming they follow the trajectory of recent graduates. Just recognize that the small sample size means you're betting on consistency that isn't guaranteed by decades of data.