Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Limestone University

Limestone's Health and Physical Education program leaves graduates earning $26,809 in their first year—barely enough to manage the $27,000 in typical debt, which is higher than the state average despite the lower earnings. While this lands in the 40th percentile among South Carolina programs, that's cold comfort when top-performing schools like The Citadel and USC place graduates earning over $40,000, and even mid-tier options like Bob Jones and Winthrop deliver $5,000-8,000 more annually.

The concerning part isn't just the immediate numbers—it's what they suggest about career trajectories. First-year earnings of $26,809 in a field where the national median is $30,554 indicates graduates may be taking lower-tier positions or struggling to find full-time work in their field. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are counting on this degree to deliver economic mobility, but a debt load that equals your entire first year's salary makes that climb steeper than necessary.

For families committed to this field, exploring why other SC programs achieve significantly better outcomes matters. The difference between Limestone's results and even middle-performing options represents thousands of dollars annually that could go toward loan repayment or building financial security. Unless there are compelling personal reasons to choose Limestone specifically—location, athletic opportunities, or unique program features—the financial data suggests looking at alternatives that better balance cost with career placement.