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

A four-year earning jump of 43% is rare in health and fitness—and Ohio University-Eastern delivers exactly that. While graduates start at $35,165, they're earning over $50,000 by year four, a trajectory that outpaces both the state and national medians for this degree. The debt burden of $25,000 is manageable at 0.71 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates can realistically pay it down even during those leaner early years. Among Ohio's 52 programs, this ranks solidly in the 60th percentile, though it trails top performers like Miami and Ohio Dominican by roughly $10,000 at the four-year mark.

The real question is whether families can weather that initial salary period. Starting at $35K isn't comfortable, but the upward momentum suggests graduates are landing positions with genuine advancement potential—perhaps transitioning from entry-level coaching or fitness roles into athletic administration, corporate wellness, or teaching positions with better compensation. The strong sample size (100+ graduates) makes these numbers reliable, not a statistical fluke.

For families prioritizing reasonable debt over prestige, this program works. The combination of below-average borrowing and above-average earnings growth creates breathing room that many health and fitness degrees don't offer. Just understand you're banking on year two and beyond to justify the investment.