Health and Physical Education/Fitness at The University of Tennessee-Martin

UT-Martin graduates in Health and Physical Education start modestly at $30,587, but their earnings trajectory tells a more encouraging story. Within four years, median pay jumps 40% to $42,714—substantially outpacing the typical career arc for this major. While the program ranks squarely at the national median initially, it outperforms 60% of Tennessee programs in the same field, sitting comfortably above the state's $28,069 median. Among Tennessee schools, only Tennessee Tech and a few others produce higher early earnings in this field.

The debt picture is reasonable at $23,938, resulting in a manageable 0.78 ratio to first-year income. Graduates can realistically pay this down within a few years, especially as their earnings accelerate. This matters for a career path that often includes teaching, coaching, or fitness management roles—positions where starting salaries lag but mid-career stability improves. The 40% earnings growth suggests graduates are moving into coordinator roles, administrative positions, or specialized training careers faster than peers elsewhere.

For families concerned about return on investment in education fields, UT-Martin offers a practical advantage: solid in-state positioning with debt that won't become burdensome. The real value emerges in years 2-4, when earnings gains meaningfully outpace what most health and PE programs deliver nationally.