Health and Physical Education/Fitness at The University of Olivet

The University of Olivet's health and physical education program starts graduates at just $24,879—roughly $3,000 below the state median and nearly $6,000 below the national average. That puts it in the bottom 5% nationally for this field. While Michigan's other universities launch PE graduates into the low-to-mid $30,000s, Olivet's first-year outcomes lag significantly behind peers like Eastern Michigan ($34,499) and Central Michigan ($32,850). The debt load of $29,578 exceeds typical borrowing for this program, creating an immediate financial strain with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.19.

The picture does improve substantially—earnings jump 56% to $38,906 by year four, bringing graduates closer to competitive territory. That growth trajectory suggests either career advancement or graduate degree completion, common paths for physical educators. Among Michigan programs specifically, Olivet lands at the 40th percentile, indicating middle-of-the-pack performance within the state even if it underperforms nationally.

For families considering this program, the core question is whether the lower entry point is acceptable given the eventual earnings growth. If your child plans to pursue teaching credentials or graduate study anyway, that difficult first year becomes less critical. But if they need immediate earning power to manage that debt, stronger-performing Michigan programs offer $10,000+ more in starting salary with similar or lower debt loads.