Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State stands out in a crowded Missouri market for health and physical education programs, delivering stronger-than-expected outcomes at a reasonable cost. First-year earnings of $34,638 beat the national median by $4,000 and land graduates in the 77th percentile nationally—solid performance for a school with a 79% acceptance rate. The $22,572 in typical debt sits well below both state and national averages, creating a manageable 0.65 debt-to-earnings ratio that most graduates can handle on an educator's salary.

The trajectory looks promising too. Earnings climb 17% to $40,514 by year four, suggesting graduates find opportunities to advance beyond entry-level teaching positions into coaching, athletic director roles, or specialized fitness training. While the program ranks around the 60th percentile within Missouri—trailing schools like Missouri Baptist and Missouri Western by a few thousand dollars—it still outperforms most in-state options and costs less upfront. For a field where passion often matters more than pay, starting with lower debt makes a real difference.

This represents a practical path into health education without the financial stress that can accompany more expensive programs. The moderate sample size suggests steady enrollment, and the combination of below-average debt with above-average earnings creates room for graduates to build careers they care about without constant budget anxiety.