Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

UW-La Crosse's health and physical education program starts modestly but demonstrates impressive momentum. At $30,993 in first-year earnings, graduates begin slightly below Wisconsin's state median of $32,801—ranking in just the 40th percentile among Wisconsin programs. However, the 41% earnings jump to $43,696 by year four tells a different story about long-term prospects, suggesting graduates build valuable skills or credentials that open better opportunities over time.

The debt picture deserves attention. At $23,250, it's actually lower than both the Wisconsin median ($27,000) and the national median ($25,757), creating a manageable 0.75 debt-to-earnings ratio. This matters for teaching and coaching careers where starting salaries rarely match corporate jobs but offer stability and benefits. Still, Wisconsin families should note that programs at UW-Platteville ($46,027) and Lakeland University ($41,427) deliver significantly higher starting earnings, raising questions about why La Crosse grads begin further behind despite the school's solid reputation.

The trajectory makes this program worth considering if your child plans to pursue advanced certifications or graduate school—common paths in this field that could explain the earnings acceleration. However, if they need immediate earning power after graduation, other Wisconsin options provide a stronger financial foundation from day one.