Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Northeastern State University

Northeastern State's Health and Physical Education program starts slow but delivers solid growth, with earnings jumping 34% from $29,464 to $39,435 over four years. That trajectory matters more than the below-average starting salary—by year four, graduates are outpacing what most programs deliver at the one-year mark. The manageable $19,041 debt load (well below both state and national medians) means graduates can actually benefit from that earnings growth rather than watching it disappear into loan payments.

The state comparison reveals this program's positioning: it ranks around the 40th percentile among Oklahoma's 21 schools, trailing larger institutions like Oklahoma State ($35,437 starting) by about $6,000. That gap isn't trivial, but the low debt means the total financial picture remains reasonable. For students likely to start careers in Oklahoma schools or fitness facilities—where salaries are geographically constrained—the combination of modest debt and steady earnings growth creates a workable path.

The bottom line: This works best for students committed to physical education or fitness careers who value affordability over maximizing year-one earnings. The 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio and strong growth trajectory suggest graduates can establish themselves financially without excessive burden. If your child is eyeing higher-paying programs at OSU or UCO and can get in, those might offer better value—but NSU's lower debt gives graduates more breathing room in a field where starting salaries typically stay modest regardless of where you attend.