Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock delivers strong returns for health and physical education majors, landing in the 82nd percentile nationally for graduate earnings—well above both the national median ($30,554) and Pennsylvania's median ($31,311). Within Pennsylvania's crowded field of 52 programs, this ranks 60th percentile, meaning grads here earn more than most in-state competitors, though private schools like Alvernia and Lebanon Valley push higher. The $27,000 debt load equals the state median but keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.76, meaning graduates owe less than their first year's salary.

What makes this program particularly attractive is the earnings trajectory: graduates see 22% income growth between years one and four, reaching $43,195. That's solid progression for a field that often serves as a stepping stone into coaching, athletic training, or wellness management roles. The robust sample size (100+ graduates) confirms these aren't outlier results—this is what typical outcomes look like.

For families weighing state school options, Slippery Rock offers competitive value. You're getting above-average earnings at in-state tuition rates, with debt levels that won't hamstring your child's early career. While the highest-earning programs in Pennsylvania are at private institutions, they come with significantly higher sticker prices that could erase the earnings advantage.