Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech's Health and Physical Education program edges out most Louisiana options, landing graduates at $31,802 in their first year—about $4,000 ahead of the typical Louisiana program and slightly better than the national median. Among the state's 10 programs, it ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing only LSU's flagship program by a few hundred dollars. That's meaningful context in a state where many teaching and fitness-related positions start at modest salaries.

The debt load of $24,750 is manageable at 0.78 times first-year earnings, and the 34% earnings growth to $42,463 by year four suggests career progression that makes the initial investment work. This ratio falls comfortably below the "one year of salary" threshold that typically signals repayment problems. However, these figures come from a small graduating class (under 30 students), so individual outcomes will vary more than usual—a few high earners coaching at the college level or working in athletic administration could be lifting the median.

For Louisiana families planning to keep their student in-state, Louisiana Tech offers competitive preparation without excessive debt. The program delivers slightly better outcomes than most state alternatives at a similar cost, which matters when comparing tuition options. Just understand that career ceilings in education and fitness tend to be modest unless you move into administration or specialized athletic training roles.