Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Maine at Presque Isle

Based on peer institutions across Maine, a Health and Physical Education bachelor's degree typically leads to first-year earnings around $35,341—just above the national median for this field but not by much. The estimated $24,250 in debt yields a manageable 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first year's salary. That's reasonable compared to many education-adjacent programs, though it's worth noting this field rarely commands high starting salaries anywhere in the country.

The real question is career trajectory. Physical education and fitness bachelor's degrees often serve as launching pads for teaching positions (which typically require additional certification) or entry-level fitness industry roles. Similar programs in Maine show a fairly tight earnings band—most cluster between $30,000 and $38,000 in year one—suggesting the field itself, rather than the specific school, largely determines early outcomes. University of Maine at Presque Isle's location in a rural area may limit immediate local opportunities, though teaching positions exist statewide.

For families comfortable with modest starting pay in exchange for the lower debt load, this appears workable. The key is having a clear plan: teaching certification, graduate school for athletic training or related fields, or building a fitness business. Without that next step, $35,000 becomes a ceiling rather than a floor.