Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Wake Forest University

Wake Forest's Health and Physical Education program shows a puzzling first-year salary of just $21,192—far below both national and state medians—before jumping dramatically to $68,083 by year four. This unusual pattern suggests many graduates pursue unpaid or low-paid positions immediately after graduation (perhaps coaching internships, graduate assistantships, or athletic training certifications) before transitioning to higher-earning roles. While the eventual salary is strong and well above comparable NC programs like UNC Charlotte ($34,219) or NC State ($33,717), families need to plan for that challenging first year when earnings barely cover basic living expenses.

The $23,250 debt load is actually below both national and state averages for this field, which matters given the initial earnings gap. Still, with a 1.10 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one, graduates face meaningful financial strain during that transitional period. The dramatic earnings recovery by year four suggests the program successfully positions graduates for advancement, but this path requires either family financial support or extreme frugality during those early career years.

For parents, the key question is whether your family can absorb that first-year income shortfall. If your child can live at home or you can provide additional support during their initial post-graduation period, the long-term outcomes justify the investment. Without that safety net, the gap between a Wake Forest education and more predictable earning trajectories at state schools becomes harder to justify.