Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Northern State University

Northern State University's Health and Physical Education program punches well above its weight nationally, with graduates earning $40,123 in their first year—nearly $10,000 more than the national median and placing them in the 95th percentile among similar programs. That's impressive for a school with a 93% acceptance rate. However, within South Dakota, this advantage narrows considerably: the program ranks at the 60th percentile, just slightly above the state median of $37,481 and trailing South Dakota State's $41,019.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $24,500, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61. Graduates should be able to handle repayment while building their careers. Earnings do show modest growth to $42,292 by year four, though the 5% increase suggests most graduates find their salary range fairly quickly—typical for education-related fields where pay scales are often standardized.

The major caveat here is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, a few high or low earners can skew these numbers significantly. If your child is considering this program, the strong national showing suggests solid preparation, but recognize that outcomes in South Dakota's education market may be more modest than these figures suggest. For families prioritizing in-state employment, this program offers competitive preparation without excessive debt.