Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Lubbock Christian University

Something unusual is happening with Lubbock Christian's Health and Physical Education program. Graduates earn an impressive $46,359 in their first year—landing them in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Texas programs. At $27,000 in debt, that's a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio. But then earnings drop sharply to just $29,246 by year four, a 37% decline that flips the financial picture entirely.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could be skewed by just a handful of career paths. The data might be capturing graduates who start in higher-paying fitness or wellness positions but then transition into teaching roles or part-time coaching—careers that offer other benefits like summers off and pension plans but lower immediate salaries. It's also possible some graduates pursue additional credentials or degrees during those first few years, temporarily reducing their earnings.

Given the volatility and limited data, don't rely too heavily on these specific numbers. What we can say: the debt load is reasonable, and the program clearly prepares some graduates for strong initial outcomes. But if your child is planning a traditional PE teaching career in Texas, expect earnings closer to the state median of $32,000, not the $46,000 first-year figure. The long-term career trajectory matters more than this program's puzzling year-one spike.