Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word graduates in this program earn $40,453 in their first year—about 32% more than the national median and 25% above Texas's median. That 95th percentile national ranking is impressive, though the 60th percentile within Texas reveals this program is merely mid-tier in a state with unusually strong outcomes for health and physical education majors. With debt around $30,700, graduates face manageable payments relative to their earnings, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 falls well below concerning thresholds.

The caution here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported these figures, so your child's experience could vary significantly. The modest 5% earnings growth over four years suggests most graduates find their career level quickly, whether that's coaching, fitness management, or similar roles. While earnings here trail programs like Rice or Lubbock Christian by $10,000 or more annually, UIW's high admission rate and Pell grant population make it accessible to students who might not qualify elsewhere.

For families seeking a practical path into health education or fitness careers with reasonable debt, this program delivers solid returns. Just recognize that top-tier Texas programs outperform it meaningfully, and these numbers represent a limited sample of graduates.