Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Mount Union

University of Mount Union graduates see their earnings jump 32% from year one to year four—moving from $33,631 to $44,211. That trajectory matters more than the modest starting salary, especially when you're carrying just $27,000 in debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80, graduates can realistically manage payments while their income grows. Among Ohio's 52 programs in this field, Mount Union lands solidly in the middle (60th percentile), but nationally it punches above its weight at the 70th percentile. The school keeps debt exceptionally low—5th percentile nationally—which means fewer graduates struggling with payments during those early years when salaries are still climbing.

The comparison to Ohio's top programs reveals the tradeoff. Miami University and Ohio Dominican graduates start around $40,000, but they're also likely carrying more debt or drawing from wealthier family resources (Mount Union serves a notably higher percentage of Pell-eligible students at 29%). By year four, Mount Union graduates have closed much of that gap through steady income growth, and they're doing it with manageable debt loads.

For families prioritizing accessible education costs and reasonable debt, this program delivers. The earnings trajectory shows graduates aren't stuck at entry-level wages—they're advancing into better-paying positions within a few years of graduation.