Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

The story here is about patience and trajectory. Your child will likely start at $30,674—below Texas's median for this degree—but by year four, earnings jump to $51,305, matching the top programs in the state. That 67% growth rate is exceptional and suggests graduates are transitioning from entry-level positions (possibly coaching or assistant roles) into better-paying positions in athletic administration, corporate wellness, or education.

However, the starting salary creates immediate tension with the $26,250 debt load. That first year, your child will owe nearly 86% of their annual earnings, which is manageable but requires careful budgeting. The bigger concern is that UMHB graduates initially trail other Texas programs by about $1,800. You're paying similar debt for below-average starting outcomes in-state, though this gap completely closes by year four.

The calculus depends on whether your child can weather those early years financially. If they can live at home or keep expenses low initially, this program delivers competitive mid-career earnings. But if they need financial independence immediately after graduation, that first-year salary will feel tight given the debt obligations. The four-year outcome justifies the investment—it just takes time to materialize.