Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Massachusetts-Boston

UMass Boston's Health and Physical Education program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally—remarkable for a field where most graduates start around $30,000. The $37,703 first-year salary significantly outpaces both the national median and Massachusetts average of $33,378, though it trails the state's top performer, Simmons University. More importantly, graduates see 49% earnings growth by year four, reaching $56,255. With debt around $26,800 (slightly below both state and national averages), graduates face manageable payments while building toward solid mid-career earnings.

The 60th percentile ranking within Massachusetts tells an interesting story: this program performs well statewide, but Massachusetts itself has unusually strong outcomes for this field. Being middle-of-the-pack among the state's 22 programs still means significantly outperforming most of the country's 944 programs. The accessible admission profile (83% acceptance rate, serving 43% Pell-eligible students) suggests UMass Boston opens doors to strong outcomes for students who might not access more selective institutions.

For families weighing this degree, the combination of manageable debt and above-average starting salary creates immediate breathing room, while the robust earnings trajectory suggests career advancement opportunities many PE/fitness programs don't deliver. This is one of the field's better bets, especially at in-state tuition rates.