Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Ohio Wesleyan University

Ohio Wesleyan's Health and Physical Education program starts behind most competitors but demonstrates impressive momentum. First-year earnings of $28,294 trail both state and national medians by roughly $4,000-$5,000, ranking this program in just the 40th percentile among Ohio programs. However, the 56% earnings growth to $44,074 by year four significantly outpaces typical trajectories in this field, suggesting graduates gain traction as they establish themselves professionally—likely moving into coaching roles, athletic administration, or specialized fitness positions.

The debt picture deserves attention. At $27,000, graduates carry the same debt burden as the state median, but starting salaries are lower. This means new graduates face a near 1:1 debt-to-earnings ratio in their first year, making those initial years financially tight. The strong earnings trajectory helps, but parents should understand their graduate will likely need financial support or careful budgeting early on.

This program makes sense for students genuinely committed to health and fitness careers who can weather modest starting salaries. The moderately selective admissions and strong four-year earnings suggest Ohio Wesleyan provides solid preparation, but families should recognize that top programs like Miami University and Ohio State place graduates into positions earning $8,000-$12,000 more right away. If your child has the credentials for those schools, the higher initial earnings could justify the comparison shopping.