Health and Physical Education/Fitness at San Francisco State University

San Francisco State's Health and Physical Education program shows an unusual pattern: graduates start well below expectations but experience remarkable income growth. That first-year median of just $26,176 sits in the bottom fifth nationally and below California's median of $28,094. However, by year four, earnings nearly double to $50,883—landing graduates well above both state and national benchmarks. The below-median $17,500 in debt helps cushion that difficult first year.

What explains this trajectory? Many graduates likely begin in part-time coaching, recreation, or fitness instruction roles while pursuing teaching credentials or full-time positions. The 94% earnings jump suggests they're successfully transitioning into better-paying work. Still, that initial earning period matters: living in San Francisco on $26,000 would be extraordinarily challenging, even with relatively low debt payments.

The program's middle-of-the-pack state ranking (40th percentile) reflects this split personality—strong eventual outcomes hampered by a rocky start. Parents should understand their child will likely need financial support during those early years, whether that means living at home or supplementing income with additional work. If your student has the runway to weather that initial period and the drive to pursue advancement in education or fitness management, the four-year outcome is solid. Without that support system, however, the gap between San Francisco's cost of living and entry-level pay in this field becomes a serious obstacle.