Health and Physical Education/Fitness at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UW-Milwaukee's Health and Physical Education program starts modestly but shows something many fitness-focused programs don't: genuine salary momentum. That 44% earnings jump from $34,000 to $49,000 over four years suggests graduates are moving into coaching, wellness management, or other roles with real advancement potential—not staying stuck at entry-level gym wages.

The debt picture here is reasonable. At $26,000, you're borrowing roughly three-quarters of that first year's salary, which is manageable territory. More importantly, by year four when those loans enter full repayment, earnings have climbed high enough to make the monthly payments less painful. Within Wisconsin, this program lands solidly in the middle of the pack—not as strong as UW-Platteville's standout outcomes, but comfortably ahead of the state median and performing better than most comparable programs nationally.

The real question is whether your child has the hustle to capitalize on that growth trajectory. The program performs well (73rd percentile nationally), but fitness careers reward those who build connections, pursue additional certifications, and actively seek better positions. For a student passionate about health education who's willing to grind through those early years, this is a practical path that doesn't require excessive borrowing. The accessible admission standards mean your child can get in; the earnings data suggests they can actually build a career afterward.