Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus

Ohio University-Chillicothe's Health and Physical Education program stands out for its unusually strong earnings trajectory. That $35,165 starting salary jumps to over $50,000 by year four—a 43% increase that suggests graduates are quickly moving into coaching positions, administrative roles, or specialist certifications that command higher pay. While the program ranks at the 60th percentile among Ohio's Health and PE programs initially, it outperforms 80% of similar programs nationally, and that earnings growth pattern is particularly notable in a field where pay often plateaus early.

The $25,000 debt load sits right at the national median for this degree, translating to a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one that becomes even more favorable as earnings climb. Compare this to top Ohio programs like Miami University or Ohio Dominican, where starting salaries are higher but graduates may carry significantly more debt from higher tuition costs. The regional campus advantage shows here: you're getting competitive outcomes without the premium price tag.

The bottom line: if your child is committed to coaching, teaching PE, or working in fitness programming, this program delivers strong value—especially given that year-four income trajectory. The robust sample size confirms these aren't outlier results. Just ensure they're genuinely passionate about the field, since that first-year salary requires patience even if the growth potential is real.