Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Southern Maine

With first-year earnings of $29,478, this program trails not just the national median but falls notably short of Maine's typical outcomes for physical education graduates. Among the state's six programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile—meaning three-quarters of comparable Maine programs deliver better starting salaries. Thomas College and Husson University graduates in this field earn roughly $8,000-9,000 more annually right out of the gate, which compounds significantly over time.

The debt load of $25,500 sits near national norms, but context matters here. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.87 means graduates are borrowing nearly a full year's salary, and they're doing so for below-average outcomes in their home state. Physical education degrees often lead to teaching positions with union-negotiated pay scales, so the $6,000 gap between USM and Maine's median suggests graduates may be facing delays in finding full-time positions or settling for lower-tier opportunities.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes heavily influence these numbers, so they could shift year to year. However, if your child is set on this field in Maine, the data suggests exploring the higher-performing programs first. At minimum, investigate why USM's outcomes lag behind competitors—whether it's placement support, credential preparation, or regional job market access—before committing.