Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Dubuque

University of Dubuque's Health and Physical Education program ranks exceptionally well against national competition—hitting the 95th percentile—but tells a more nuanced story when you zoom in on Iowa. At $37,528 starting out, graduates earn more than most similar programs nationwide, yet land at the 60th percentile among Iowa's 23 offerings. You'll notice Buena Vista and Simpson grads start slightly higher, though the differences are modest enough that other factors like job placement support or local connections might matter more.

The financial fundamentals look solid: with $27,560 in typical debt against first-year earnings of $37,528, students face a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's better than most education-related fields, where graduates often carry proportionally heavier debt loads. The 24% earnings bump by year four suggests career progression rather than stagnation, which matters in a field where some graduates plateau quickly in coaching or fitness instruction roles.

The major caveat is sample size—fewer than 30 recent graduates means one person's unusually high or low outcome can skew these numbers significantly. That said, for families considering this program, the combination of reasonable debt, competitive starting pay, and demonstrated earnings growth makes it a sensible choice, particularly if your student has connections to Iowa's education or recreation sectors where University of Dubuque's regional reputation carries weight.