Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Western Washington University

Western Washington University's Health and Physical Education program starts graduates at just $29,268—below both state and national medians—while carrying some of the highest debt loads in the nation (95th percentile). Yet the trajectory tells a more optimistic story: earnings jump 35% to $39,375 by year four, eventually surpassing Washington's median. Still, at graduation, your child would be earning less than peers at Central Washington ($35,268) or Pacific Lutheran ($33,449), even with comparable or lower debt burdens.

The moderate debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.67 makes the first year manageable, but the real question is whether that initial earnings gap matters for your family's situation. If your child plans to stay in Washington and can weather lower starting pay, the growth curve suggests they'll catch up. However, those first few years represent a genuine financial challenge, especially if they're pursuing teaching positions where salary schedules are standardized and initial placement matters.

For families prioritizing immediate post-graduation income, WWU's program lags behind most Washington competitors. But if your child values the university's location and culture, and you can support them through that first year or two, the earnings trajectory shows this investment eventually delivers competitive outcomes—just with a slower start than you'd find elsewhere in the state.