Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Valdosta State University

Valdosta State's Health and Physical Education program shows a dramatic earnings trajectory, but that $23,364 first-year figure deserves scrutiny. While the 88% jump to nearly $44,000 by year four suggests graduates eventually find their footing—likely moving from part-time coaching or substitute teaching into full-time positions—that initial year falls well below both the Georgia median ($29,310) and national average ($30,554). Even within Georgia, this program ranks only in the 25th percentile, trailing programs at UGA, Georgia Southwestern, and University of North Georgia by $9,000-$10,000 at graduation.

The $27,000 debt load itself is manageable and close to state norms, but paired with those early earnings, it creates a tight first-year budget. The debt-to-income ratio of 1.16 means graduates owe more than they'll earn in their initial year—a challenging start for anyone living independently. By year four, the picture improves significantly, but parents should ask: can their child weather that difficult first year, possibly while living at home or working multiple jobs?

Important caveat: this data comes from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary widely. Still, the pattern aligns with the broader reality of education careers in Georgia—slow starts with gradual improvement. If your child is passionate about coaching or teaching PE and has financial flexibility for those lean early years, the program can lead to stable middle-income work. Without that cushion, the initial struggle may be harder than expected.