Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Seton Hall University

Seton Hall's Health and Physical Education program produces earnings that exceed typical outcomes for this field by a significant margin. First-year graduates earn $39,333—nearly $10,000 above New Jersey's median for these programs and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide. That gap widens by year four, when graduates earn $58,423, representing a solid 49% increase that suggests real career progression rather than just cost-of-living adjustments. Among the 16 New Jersey schools offering this degree, Seton Hall leads by a comfortable margin.

The debt load of $24,125 is actually lower than both state and national averages for this program, creating a favorable 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio. This means graduates owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary—manageable territory, especially given the strong earnings trajectory. The program's combination of below-average debt and top-tier earnings is unusual in a field where many schools produce earnings in the low $30,000s.

For families considering this path, Seton Hall appears to maximize the value proposition of a physical education degree. The earnings advantage over comparable New Jersey programs persists beyond graduation, and the moderate debt burden won't restrict career choices early on. This looks like the strongest option in the state for students committed to this career path.