Health and Physical Education/Fitness at North Park University

North Park's Health and Physical Education program starts slow but builds momentum—graduates earn $30,165 in year one but see that jump 53% to $46,059 by year four. While the initial earnings barely crack the national median, the program performs better against local competition, landing in the 60th percentile among Illinois schools. That matters in a state where most programs in this field cluster tightly around $30,000 starting salaries.

The debt load of $25,495 is reasonable and nearly identical to state and national averages, creating a manageable 0.85 debt-to-earnings ratio at graduation. The real story here is the earnings trajectory—by year four, graduates are outpacing many peers from higher-ranked Illinois programs. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual circumstances could be skewing these numbers significantly, so treat them as directional rather than definitive.

For families considering this program, the key question is whether your student can weather the lean early years. If they're planning to stay in Illinois and work in education or fitness, North Park delivers mid-pack results with strong growth potential. Just recognize that the first year or two will likely require financial discipline or supplemental support.