Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Vermont

University of Vermont graduates in this program start at $27,835—well below both Vermont's state median of $33,805 and the national benchmark. Among Vermont's three schools offering this degree, UVM ranks at the bottom quartile, trailing Vermont State University by nearly $10,000 annually. While the debt load of $22,163 is manageable compared to what many students borrow, you're still looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.80, meaning nearly a full year's salary goes toward what was borrowed.

The 59% earnings jump to $44,105 by year four offers some reassurance that graduates eventually find their footing, possibly moving into coaching, athletic administration, or related fields with better compensation. However, those lean early years matter—rent, loan payments, and basic expenses don't wait for career progression. For a selective public university with strong academics (average SAT of 1357), these outcomes fall short of what families might expect.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances heavily influence these figures. If your child is passionate about fitness education and has a clear plan for where this degree leads—whether that's graduate school, teaching certification, or entrepreneurship in the wellness space—UVM's broader resources and network might justify the investment. But purely on the numbers, this program underperforms both state and national peers in those crucial first years.