Analysis
Ouachita Baptist graduates with this degree carry less than $20,000 in debt—about $5,000 below the Arkansas median and roughly $6,000 below what you'd see nationally for physical education programs. That's a significant advantage, though you should know this data represents a small graduating class (under 30 students), which means individual circumstances can skew the numbers.
The earnings trajectory looks solid. Starting at $31,385, graduates reach $40,765 by year four—a 30% jump that outpaces most teaching-track degrees. Among Arkansas programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile, meaning it performs better than typical in-state alternatives like Harding or Arkansas-Monticello. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63 means students owe about 7.5 months of their first-year salary, which is manageable for someone entering education or fitness industries.
For a parent evaluating this program, the lower debt load matters more than the modest starting salary. Your child would graduate owing roughly what they'd earn in a summer and one semester of work, not the near-year of earnings that other physical education programs typically require. Just remember the small sample size means these outcomes might shift year to year.
Where Ouachita Baptist University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and physical education/fitness bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Ouachita Baptist University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ouachita Baptist University | $31,385 | $40,765 | +30% |
| Harding University | $29,178 | $53,747 | +84% |
| University of Arkansas | $28,934 | $50,455 | +74% |
| Arkansas State University | $32,685 | $43,288 | +32% |
| University of Central Arkansas | $31,767 | $43,218 | +36% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas
Health and Physical Education/Fitness bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia | $32,480 | $31,385 | $40,765 | $19,672 | 0.63 |
 Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro | $7,754 | $32,685 | $43,288 | $26,000 | 0.80 |
 University of Central ArkansasConway | $10,118 | $31,767 | $43,218 | $25,000 | 0.79 |
 Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia | $9,820 | $29,854 | $35,133 | $20,169 | 0.68 |
 University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello | $8,868 | $29,213 | — | $22,000 | 0.75 |
 Harding UniversitySearcy | $24,888 | $29,178 | $53,747 | $26,054 | 0.89 |
| National Median | — | $30,554 | — | $25,757 | 0.84 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health and physical education/fitness graduates
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Athletes and Sports Competitors
Athletic Trainers
Exercise Physiologists
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Coaches and Scouts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Ouachita Baptist University, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.