Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Wayne State College

Wayne State College graduates with this degree earn substantially more than the national median—landing in the 82nd percentile nationally with first-year earnings of $35,343. That's nearly $5,000 above what most Health and Physical Education graduates make across the country. Within Nebraska, the program holds its own at the 60th percentile, trailing the University of Nebraska campuses but outperforming several private alternatives. The debt load of $25,043 translates to a manageable 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates can reasonably expect to repay what they borrow.

The earnings trajectory looks promising, with a 20% increase to $42,218 by year four—solid growth for a field where many grads enter teaching positions with structured pay scales. The relatively low debt burden combined with above-average starting salaries creates a sustainable financial foundation, especially for students planning to stay in Nebraska where cost of living remains reasonable.

One important caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual. Still, the pattern here suggests Wayne State delivers strong value for students committed to careers in physical education, coaching, or fitness—particularly those who can keep debt near or below the median level.