Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University's Health and Physical Education program offers one clear advantage: remarkably low student debt at just $14,352, far below both the state median ($16,844) and national median ($25,757). That's less than half what typical graduates in this field carry, which matters in a profession where starting salaries hover around $30,000. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48, graduates here face more manageable payments than most of their peers nationwide.

The challenge is that this low debt doesn't translate to competitive earning power. At $30,092, first-year earnings trail the Utah median by about $1,300 and sit in just the 40th percentile statewide—meaning six of the eight Utah programs show higher earnings. Weber State and University of Utah graduates earn roughly $7,000-9,000 more annually in similar roles, though they also typically carry more debt.

For families committed to a teaching or fitness career and concerned about debt burden, this program delivers on affordability. The tradeoff is accepting below-average earning potential within Utah, where your child will likely compete for the same PE teaching positions as graduates from higher-earning programs. If minimizing debt is the priority and you're comfortable with entry-level salaries in the low $30Ks, this works. If maximizing early career earnings matters more, the in-state alternatives at Weber State or University of Utah merit consideration despite their higher debt loads.