Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Weber State University

Weber State's Health and Physical Education program starts strong with first-year earnings of $39,059—dramatically outperforming both the national median ($30,554) and even Utah's typically higher state median ($31,408). That's elite territory, ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. With just $19,588 in median debt (well below both state and national averages), the initial financial picture looks remarkably solid. Among Utah's eight programs, only the University of Utah produces higher early earnings.

The significant caveat: this data comes from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift considerably with more data. More concerning is the earnings trajectory—median pay drops to $34,578 by year four, an 11% decline. In health and physical education fields, this pattern can reflect the realities of teaching careers where first-year salaries may already be near the ceiling, or graduates shifting between seasonal coaching roles and full-time positions.

For parents, the low debt load is the safety net here. Even if earnings don't climb as hoped, the debt-to-earnings ratio starts at 0.50—meaning graduates owe less than half their annual salary. That's manageable by any standard. If your child is passionate about coaching, teaching PE, or fitness careers and understands the salary realities of those fields, this program delivers solid entry-level placement without burying them in debt. Just recognize that career growth may require moving into administration or specialized roles beyond teaching.