Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi's Health and Physical Education program tells two very different stories depending on when you measure success. Fresh graduates earn just $22,239—ranking in the bottom 5% nationally and well below even Mississippi's state median of $27,578. That's a rough start that puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 1.04, meaning graduates owe nearly as much as they earn in their first year.

Here's the complication: earnings more than double by year four, reaching $46,085. That dramatic 107% growth suggests many graduates land coaching positions, administrative roles, or complete additional certifications that significantly boost their pay. However, this still lags behind top Mississippi programs like Southern Miss, where graduates earn $39,049 right out of the gate. The question becomes whether waiting four years to reach competitive earnings is a worthwhile trade-off, especially when your child could be earning better money sooner at other in-state options.

The math works eventually, but the first few years will be financially tight. If your child is committed to coaching or sports management and has family support to weather those lean early years, this program gets there. But families counting on immediate financial independence after graduation should look hard at those alternative Mississippi programs where graduates don't face the same delayed payoff.