Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University's Health and Physical Education program starts modestly but shows impressive momentum. First-year earnings of $33,449 jump to $47,438 by year four—a 42% increase that significantly outpaces typical career trajectories in this field. This places graduates in the 69th percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Washington programs, beating the state median by over $1,600 initially. The debt load of $25,536 is reasonable relative to that first-year salary, creating a manageable 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio.

The catch is that graduates need patience. That initial $33,449 salary means lean early years, though it's worth noting this still beats most competitors in Washington. The program's strength lies in setting graduates up for solid career progression—by year four, they're earning considerably more than peers from other state programs, including those from Central Washington and Seattle University who started ahead. The debt, while slightly above Washington's state median for this field, isn't excessive given the earnings trajectory.

For families comfortable with a modest financial start in exchange for strong growth potential, this program delivers. The combination of reasonable debt and accelerating earnings makes it a sound choice, particularly if your student plans to stay in the Pacific Northwest where PLU's regional connections matter most.