Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University's Health and Physical Education program starts rough but shows remarkable recovery potential. First-year earnings of $28,315 lag behind both Illinois and national medians, but by year four, graduates reach $52,779—nearly double their starting salary and significantly outpacing state and national benchmarks. This 86% earnings growth suggests graduates are breaking into coaching positions, administrative roles, or other higher-paying opportunities within the field after gaining initial experience.

The $31,000 debt load is higher than typical for Illinois programs in this field ($26,000 median), though it remains manageable given the strong mid-career trajectory. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.09 looks concerning at first glance, but it's based solely on that first-year dip. By year four, the debt burden becomes far more reasonable relative to income. Still, families need to prepare for lean early years—graduates will likely need to budget carefully or find supplemental income while establishing themselves professionally.

The key question is whether your child can weather those first few years on a tight budget. If they're willing to start in entry-level teaching or coaching positions with the understanding that advancement opportunities exist, this program delivers strong long-term value. Those ranking 40th percentile in Illinois initially but achieving 52% above-state-median earnings by year four should be appealing to students committed to the field, not just those seeking quick returns.