Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg's health and physical education program starts slow but gains momentum—graduates begin at $30,616 but see earnings jump 63% to nearly $50,000 by year four. That growth trajectory is notable in a field where many programs plateau quickly. However, the first-year earnings lag behind Pennsylvania's median for this program, placing Shippensburg in the 40th percentile statewide. When you're earning less initially than peers at schools like Lebanon Valley or Slippery Rock, that $26,000 in debt (roughly matching the state median) means tighter budgets in those early years.

The 0.85 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one is manageable but not generous, especially considering Pennsylvania's higher cost of living compared to many states. The real question is whether your child can weather those first few years—potentially working in entry-level coaching, recreation, or teaching positions—while waiting for the earnings growth to kick in. The moderate sample size suggests decent program stability, and the 86% admission rate means access isn't a barrier.

If your child is committed to this field and can supplement with part-time work or live affordably post-graduation, the year-four earnings make this workable. But if similar Pennsylvania programs offer $5,000-$10,000 more right out of the gate, those early differences compound significantly when you're making loan payments from day one.