Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Monmouth College

Starting just under $30,000 annually puts Monmouth's health and physical education graduates roughly $7,000 behind the top Illinois programs—and even slightly below the Illinois state median. While the 23% earnings growth over four years shows positive momentum, reaching $35,754 still leaves graduates trailing peers who chose schools like Aurora or Benedictine by a meaningful margin.

The debt load of $25,757 creates a manageable but not impressive financial picture. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.89, graduates can reasonably expect to handle their payments, but they're not getting the kind of earnings premium that would make this program stand out. For a field that often requires additional certifications or advanced degrees to increase earning potential, starting this far behind comparable Illinois programs means playing catch-up from day one.

The significant caveat here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing considerably with just a few outliers. That statistical uncertainty, combined with below-median earnings in a state with stronger options, suggests parents should carefully weigh whether Monmouth's specific program features (smaller classes, campus culture, coaching opportunities) justify accepting lower earning potential than what's available elsewhere in Illinois.