Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso's Health and Physical Education program starts strong—first-year earnings of $44,937 place it in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among Indiana schools. That's roughly $10,000 above the state median and $14,000 above the national average for this field. The $27,000 debt load is manageable at 60% of first-year earnings, putting graduates in a reasonable position to handle repayment while building their careers.

The caveat here is the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—which makes these numbers less reliable than data from larger programs. More concerning is the 8% earnings decline between years one and four, dropping to $41,366. This could reflect career path shifts, part-time work choices common in education fields, or simply the volatility of small sample data. Still, even at year four, graduates earn more than the Indiana median for this program.

For a student committed to health and physical education, this program delivers competitive early outcomes compared to other Indiana options, though it trails the top in-state choice (University of Indianapolis) by about $6,000. The debt level won't create crushing burden, but families should understand that earnings in this field typically remain modest and may not follow a traditional upward trajectory. If your child is certain about this career path, Valparaiso offers a reasonable financial foundation—just don't expect significant salary growth.