Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State's Health and Physical Education program starts slower than you'd hope—$29,654 in year one falls below the national median—but the trajectory tells a more compelling story. By year four, graduates reach $44,410, placing them well above the state's typical $27,578 median and outperforming nearly every other Mississippi program in this field except Southern Miss. That 50% earnings jump suggests graduates are moving into coaching positions, athletic administration, or higher-paying teaching roles as they gain experience.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.84 ratio), though that opening salary will feel tight during the initial years. Within Mississippi, this program ranks in the 60th percentile—solidly mid-pack at graduation but increasingly competitive as careers progress. For students planning to stay in-state where teaching and coaching salaries tend to be lower, Mississippi State's trajectory offers better long-term prospects than most alternatives.

If your child is passionate about physical education or sports management and willing to accept modest starting pay, this program delivers improving returns over time. The key is having realistic expectations about those early years and possibly considering supplemental income through coaching or summer programs until earnings accelerate.