Health and Physical Education/Fitness at St. John's University-New York

St. John's physical education program starts rough—graduates earn just $27,534 their first year out—but then something clicks. By year four, earnings nearly double to $48,474, a 76% jump that transforms this from a concerning investment into one that outperforms most New York programs. That first-year figure sits below the national median, but the four-year number tells you where graduates actually end up once they secure full-time teaching positions or coaching roles.

Within New York, this matters more than the national comparison. St. John's graduates land at the 60th percentile among state programs—solidly middle-of-the-pack in a competitive market. You're looking at debt of $25,748, which aligns with typical borrowing for this field. That 0.94 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable only because of that first year; focus instead on the fact that by year four, debt represents just half of annual earnings. The delayed earnings trajectory is standard for education majors who often start with substitute or part-time roles before landing permanent positions.

The takeaway: if your child can manage financially through those lean first two years—living at home, working part-time, or having family support—this program delivers solid mid-career outcomes for New York's competitive phys-ed market. The debt is reasonable, and the earnings growth suggests graduates are successfully transitioning into stable teaching careers.