Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Oklahoma State University-Main Campus

Oklahoma State's Health and Physical Education program outperforms most peers—earning $35,437 places it in the 82nd percentile nationally and above all the state's top programs except Central Oklahoma. The $22,200 median debt is also below the national average, resulting in a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio. For a field where many programs deliver earnings below $31,000, these numbers stand out.

The challenge here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates in the data set—which means these figures might not hold for every cohort. Physical education and fitness careers also tend to have modest salary ceilings, especially for those entering teaching or coaching positions. Still, starting nearly $5,000 above the national median for this degree gives graduates meaningful breathing room, particularly in Oklahoma where cost of living remains reasonable.

If your student is committed to teaching, coaching, or fitness management, this program delivers solid preparation with moderate debt. The relatively low debt load means loan payments won't dominate their early career, even in a field not known for high salaries. Just recognize that with such a small graduating class, your child's experience could vary—these numbers represent a snapshot, not a guarantee.