Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Lindenwood University

Lindenwood's health and physical education program outperforms most peer programs nationally while graduating students with manageable debt—a combination that's surprisingly rare in this field. First-year earnings of $35,314 land in the 82nd percentile nationally, well above the typical $30,554, and by year four graduates are earning $42,717. That 21% earnings growth suggests the degree opens doors to better positions over time, whether in teaching, coaching, or fitness management roles.

The $28,000 debt load sits slightly above the Missouri median of $25,772, but the program's strong earnings make this workable. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.79 means graduates owe less than one year's salary—a threshold that typically allows for comfortable repayment. Within Missouri, this program ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing just behind Missouri Baptist and Missouri Western but ahead of most public universities in the state. For students planning to work in Missouri's education or fitness sectors, Lindenwood delivers competitive preparation without the debt burden that can trap graduates in this relatively modest-earning field.

The main consideration: families should verify their net price after aid, as this degree's value depends entirely on keeping total borrowing near that $28,000 mark. But for students committed to physical education or fitness careers, Lindenwood offers a stronger financial starting point than most alternatives.