Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus

UConn-Waterbury's Health and Physical Education program starts graduates at $32,586—sitting squarely at Connecticut's median and outperforming 63% of similar programs nationally. That's a meaningful edge over the national median of $30,554, suggesting the UConn name and Connecticut's education market provide real value. The $23,125 in typical debt creates a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly 8.5 months of their first-year salary rather than a full year.

The challenge here is less about the starting point and more about the career trajectory typical of education and fitness fields, where early earnings often represent the ceiling rather than the floor. At $32,586, graduates earn enough to handle their debt payments but won't have much cushion for aggressive repayment or major life expenses in those first few years. Half of students here qualify for Pell grants, so understanding that tight first-year budget matters—though the debt load is at least moderate rather than crushing.

For families considering this path, the key question is career intent. If your child is pursuing teaching certification or planning for graduate work in athletic training or physical therapy, this program delivers solid preparation at a reasonable price point. If they're uncertain about the field or hoping for immediate financial independence after graduation, the modest starting salary deserves honest conversation before committing.