Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Mt San Antonio College

Mt San Antonio College's Health and Physical Education program starts at a concerning $19,869—well below both California's median of $25,516 and the national average. Among the 116 California schools offering this program, it ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs produce better outcomes. The relatively low debt of $6,865 helps, but that advantage gets eroded by the weak starting salary.

The 39% earnings growth to $27,623 by year four suggests graduates eventually reach more livable wages, though they're still trailing state norms. For students planning to work in fitness training or physical education—fields that often require additional certifications beyond an associate's degree—these earnings may reflect entry-level positions while building credentials. The program serves a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (34%), which matters given that even modest debt becomes harder to manage on these salaries.

The small sample size here is significant and could mean these numbers swing considerably year to year. If your child is considering this path, they should talk directly with the program about typical career trajectories and whether most graduates continue to bachelor's programs or professional certifications. The low starting salary makes this a tough investment unless it's clearly a stepping stone to something better paying, rather than a terminal degree.