Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Troy University

Troy University's Health and Physical Education program commands a premium price tag—$27,000 in median debt, higher than most Alabama competitors—but the early earnings justify it. At $36,256 in year one, graduates earn 25% more than the Alabama median and outperform 88% of similar programs nationwide. That 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates can realistically manage their debt load, particularly since earnings climb to nearly $40,000 by year four.

The tradeoff becomes clearer when you look within Alabama. Troy ranks in the 60th percentile statewide—solidly middle-of-the-pack—despite carrying slightly more debt than competitors. Auburn Montgomery edges out Troy by about $300 annually while likely charging similar costs. For families prioritizing immediate earning power in a health and fitness career, Troy delivers competitive outcomes. For those more debt-averse, schools like University of North Alabama produce graduates earning $29,714 with potentially lower debt loads.

The bigger picture: this is a stable path with realistic debt, not a high-risk investment. Health and physical education isn't a lucrative field anywhere (even top performers rarely crack $40,000 initially), but Troy positions graduates in the upper tier nationally. Parents should feel reasonably confident their investment will pay off, particularly if their child plans to stay in Alabama where these credentials translate to above-average opportunities.