Health and Physical Education/Fitness at West Liberty University

West Liberty's health and physical education program starts graduates at just $24,139—about $6,000 below the state median and in the bottom 5% nationally. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could swing significantly with just a few data points, making this one of the riskier programs to evaluate. The $28,000 in debt is actually higher than what most WV students in this field carry, creating an upside-down first-year situation where debt exceeds income.

The 65% earnings jump to nearly $40,000 by year four tells a more optimistic story than the brutal starting salary suggests. That trajectory puts graduates roughly $15,000 ahead of the state median by the four-year mark. Still, consider that other in-state options like American Public University System and Fairmont State start their graduates significantly higher from day one, potentially making those early low-earning years easier to navigate.

For families banking on this specific program, treat these numbers as directional rather than definitive given the sample size limitations. If your child is set on West Liberty for other reasons (location, campus fit, scholarship offers), understand they're likely facing a financially challenging first year or two before earnings catch up. The debt load isn't crushing, but it's enough to make those early months tight when paired with a sub-$25,000 starting salary.