Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of North Georgia
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
University of North Georgia graduates earning $36,740 within a year of finishing this degree are outearning 80% of similar programs across Georgia—including students from UGA and several private competitors. That's particularly impressive given UNG's 72% admission rate and notably more affordable debt load. At $20,500, graduates carry about $5,500 less debt than the typical Georgia kinesiology or physical education graduate, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 that's quite manageable for a field that doesn't typically command premium starting salaries.
The comparison to Emory is instructive: UNG graduates earn just $1,234 less annually while likely saving tens of thousands in total college costs. For a field where most bachelor's programs nationally produce median earnings around $30,500, clearing $36,000 represents meaningful outperformance. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests these aren't outlier results.
Parents should recognize this as one of the stronger health and fitness programs in the state, delivering above-average outcomes without the debt burden that can make education-adjacent careers financially stressful. If your student is considering teaching PE, personal training, or related fields, this program's combination of earnings and affordability makes it worth serious consideration over better-known names.
Where University of North Georgia Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health and physical education/fitness bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How University of North Georgia graduates compare to all programs nationally
University of North Georgia graduates earn $37k, placing them in the 92th percentile of all health and physical education/fitness bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia
Health and Physical Education/Fitness bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (30 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Georgia | $36,740 | — | $20,500 | 0.56 |
| Emory University | $37,974 | $52,404 | $19,883 | 0.52 |
| University of Georgia | $33,108 | $54,482 | $22,250 | 0.67 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | $32,709 | — | $26,000 | 0.79 |
| Reinhardt University | $31,900 | — | $28,000 | 0.88 |
| Kennesaw State University | $30,469 | $44,226 | $26,000 | 0.85 |
| National Median | $30,554 | — | $25,757 | 0.84 |
Other Health and Physical Education/Fitness Programs in Georgia
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Georgia schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emory University Atlanta | $60,774 | $37,974 | $19,883 |
| University of Georgia Athens | $11,180 | $33,108 | $22,250 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University Americus | $4,980 | $32,709 | $26,000 |
| Reinhardt University Waleska | $28,420 | $31,900 | $28,000 |
| Kennesaw State University Kennesaw | $5,786 | $30,469 | $26,000 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of North Georgia, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 82 graduates with reported earnings and 117 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.