Analysis
St. Olaf's Health and Physical Education program shows steady growth—graduates earn $33,577 initially but reach $41,239 by year four, outpacing most programs in this field. However, these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, which means a few high earners or career switchers could be skewing the picture considerably. The debt load of $25,000 matches both state and national medians, making this a fairly typical financing scenario for the field.
The trajectory looks promising, but context matters: while St. Olaf ranks around the 60th percentile for Minnesota HPE programs, graduates from Winona State earn $41,742 right out of the gate—matching St. Olaf's four-year mark. You're paying for a selective liberal arts education (SAT average of 1373) with outcomes that land in the middle of Minnesota's competitive landscape for this degree.
For families considering this path, the small sample size is the critical caveat. If your child is passionate about teaching or fitness and values St. Olaf's academic environment, the reasonable debt and upward earnings trend provide a workable foundation. Just recognize that the published numbers might not represent the typical graduate's experience, and you're not getting the earnings premium that would clearly justify choosing St. Olaf over the state's top performers in this field.
Where St Olaf College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and physical education/fitness bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How St Olaf College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Olaf College | $33,577 | $41,239 | +23% |
| University of Minnesota-Duluth | $33,055 | $56,819 | +72% |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | $36,050 | $54,452 | +51% |
| University of Northwestern-St Paul | $30,176 | $53,550 | +77% |
| Bethel University | $31,919 | $51,431 | +61% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Health and Physical Education/Fitness bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (24 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 St Olaf CollegeNorthfield | $56,970 | $33,577 | $41,239 | $25,000 | 0.74 |
 Winona State UniversityWinona | $10,498 | $41,742 | $51,253 | $25,550 | 0.61 |
 Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter | $54,310 | $38,796 | $43,101 | $27,000 | 0.70 |
 Minnesota State University MoorheadMoorhead | $10,336 | $38,088 | $40,035 | $22,500 | 0.59 |
 Augsburg UniversityMinneapolis | $43,942 | $37,473 | — | $27,000 | 0.72 |
 University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis | $16,488 | $36,050 | $54,452 | $23,000 | 0.64 |
| National Median | — | $30,554 | — | $25,757 | 0.84 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with health and physical education/fitness graduates
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
Athletes and Sports Competitors
Athletic Trainers
Exercise Physiologists
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Coaches and Scouts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At St Olaf College, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 37 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.