Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of North Florida

University of North Florida's Health and Physical Education program achieves something rare in this field: meaningful salary growth after graduation. Starting at $33,364, graduates see their earnings jump to $43,124 by year four—a 29% increase that lifts them well above the typical trajectory for PE and fitness degrees. This matters because many programs in this field see graduates plateau quickly, but UNF's alumni appear to be moving into better-paying positions, likely in coaching, fitness management, or specialized instruction roles.

The debt picture here is exceptionally strong. At $16,500, borrowers carry roughly $10,000 less than typical Florida graduates in this program and nearly $9,000 below the national median. That low debt load means manageable monthly payments even on that modest starting salary—graduates would be looking at roughly $185/month on a standard repayment plan. Among Florida's 31 programs in this field, UNF lands in the 60th percentile for earnings while maintaining one of the lowest debt burdens in the state.

For students committed to careers in physical education or fitness, this represents a smart choice—particularly if they're willing to invest a few years building their career. The combination of low debt and solid growth potential makes UNF's program more financially viable than most alternatives in this major, though families should recognize that even at year four, these earnings remain modest compared to many other bachelor's degrees.