Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Ohio Dominican University

Ohio Dominican's Health and Physical Education graduates earn $40,467 in their first year—crushing the national median by over $10,000 and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. That's impressive until you look closer at Ohio's competitive landscape: this program sits at the 60th percentile statewide, essentially matching what Miami University and University of Dayton graduates earn, but at a school with an 85% admission rate versus their more selective programs. The $27,000 debt load is exactly Ohio's median for this field, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio reasonable at 0.67.

Here's the catch: earnings actually decline 3% by year four, dropping to $39,264. Small sample size (under 30 graduates) means one or two individuals can skew these numbers significantly, so this downward trend might not represent what your child would experience. The program could be placing graduates in entry-level positions that don't offer much advancement, or the data could simply be reflecting a handful of career paths.

For families looking at in-state tuition costs, the first-year outcomes suggest solid earning potential right out of the gate. Just understand you're likely paying a premium in both tuition and selectivity compared to Ohio's public universities, where graduates achieve similar or slightly lower earnings with potentially lower sticker prices. Verify actual placement rates and career trajectories with recent alumni before committing.