Health and Physical Education/Fitness at State University of New York at Cortland

SUNY Cortland's Health and Physical Education program illustrates why year-one earnings don't tell the whole story. While graduates start at just $28,289—below both national and state medians—they see remarkable 74% earnings growth by year four, reaching $49,343. That's substantially higher than the $30,554 national median and nearly double New York's $27,412 state median. In fact, this program ranks at the 60th percentile among New York's 39 programs, outpacing much of the competition despite an underwhelming start.

The debt picture is manageable, with the $25,681 median sitting right at both national and state benchmarks. More importantly, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.91 becomes increasingly favorable as graduates advance in their careers—by year four, they're earning nearly twice their debt load. This pattern likely reflects graduates moving into teaching positions or athletic director roles that take a few years to secure but offer stable career trajectories with benefits.

The key is having realistic expectations for the first few years. If your student can handle living on an entry-level salary while establishing themselves—perhaps with family support or part-time work—the four-year outlook is solid. The program delivers better mid-career outcomes than most alternatives in New York, making it a reasonable choice for students committed to physical education or fitness careers who understand the profession's earning timeline.