Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Westfield State University

Westfield State's Health and Physical Education program starts graduates at $32,456—below the Massachusetts median but above the national average—then delivers impressive 49% earnings growth over four years. By year four, graduates earn $48,343, vaulting past in-state competitors and ranking in the 62nd percentile nationally. The debt picture is particularly attractive: at $27,000, it matches the state median and sits in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt). That translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.83.

The tradeoff here is timing versus trajectory. While other Massachusetts programs like Simmons and UMass-Boston start their graduates $5,000-$16,000 higher, Westfield's graduates close much of that gap by year four. For families prioritizing lower debt and confident their child will stick with the field long enough to see those earnings materialize, this represents solid value. The 33% Pell grant rate suggests the university serves many students for whom minimizing debt is critical.

The key question is whether your child plans to stay in health/fitness education long-term. If they're committed to the field, Westfield's combination of manageable debt and strong earnings growth makes sense. If they're uncertain or planning to switch careers after a few years, the lower starting salary matters more.