Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Monmouth University

The small sample size here is important context, but the pattern still warrants attention: Monmouth's Health and Physical Education graduates start at $27,907, which trails the state median by $1,500 and sits in the 40th percentile among New Jersey programs. That's roughly $11,000 behind Seton Hall's program and even $2,000 below Rutgers-New Brunswick. The debt load of $27,000 is actually quite manageable—better than 95% of similar programs nationally—but it nearly matches that first-year salary, creating a tight financial picture right out of the gate.

For a program at a school with a 90% acceptance rate, these outcomes suggest you're not getting much advantage over more affordable state options. William Paterson delivers $3,500 more in starting earnings, and public universities like Montclair State essentially match Monmouth's outcomes without the private school price tag. The bright spot is that graduates avoid the crushing debt loads seen at some competitors, keeping monthly payments reasonable even if the starting salary feels low.

If your child is set on this field at Monmouth, the relatively modest debt keeps it from being a terrible choice—just ensure they understand they'll likely need to live frugally in those first years. But given the limited sample and middling outcomes, visiting the career services office to understand job placement specifics would be wise before committing to a school that costs significantly more than state alternatives.