Health and Physical Education/Fitness at The University of Texas at Arlington

UT Arlington's Health and Physical Education program starts slowly but delivers impressive earnings growth that transforms its value proposition over time. While first-year graduates earn $30,499—below Texas' median of $32,429 and ranking at just the 40th percentile statewide—earnings jump 60% by year four to reach $48,916. That trajectory moves graduates from the middle of the pack to competitive territory, though still trailing elite Texas programs like Rice ($51,110) or SMU ($45,519).

The debt picture is genuinely excellent. At $19,023, graduates carry about $4,600 less than the Texas median and roughly $6,700 below the national average. This puts UT Arlington in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt, meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more borrowing. The 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable even in that challenging first year.

For families focused on affordable access to this field, UT Arlington delivers a solid foundation without crushing debt. The career trajectory suggests graduates find their footing relatively quickly—perhaps moving into coaching, teaching, or fitness management roles that come with better compensation. Just understand that initial salaries will be modest compared to peers who choose higher-earning programs elsewhere in Texas, and those first few years may require careful budgeting.