Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Salem State University

Salem State's Health and Physical Education program starts slow but shows impressive momentum, with graduate earnings jumping 38% to nearly $44,000 by year four. That growth trajectory outpaces most similar programs and suggests graduates are gaining traction in careers that reward experience—whether that's moving into coaching positions, fitness management, or school athletic roles. The $27,000 debt load is exceptionally manageable, ranking in just the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with more debt).

Here's the complication: while Salem State beats the national median for this field, it lags behind most Massachusetts competitors. At the 40th percentile statewide, graduates earn about $7,000 less after one year than they would at UMass-Boston or Fitchburg State, and roughly $5,000 less than the state median. In a field where starting salaries rarely crack $35,000 anywhere, that gap matters. Massachusetts has particularly strong physical education programs, so being middle-of-the-pack here means facing tough in-state competition.

The value case hinges on cost. If Salem State's open admission policy and likely lower tuition translate to graduating with that modest $27,000 debt while peers at pricier schools carry $35,000+, the tradeoff makes sense. The earnings growth suggests patient graduates catch up over time. But if you're paying similar prices across Massachusetts public universities, the stronger-performing programs deserve serious consideration.