Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Wingate University

Wingate's Health and Physical Education program offers an intriguing trajectory: first-year graduates earn just $28,551—below both national and state medians—but by year four, that jumps 55% to $44,230. This puts recent graduates solidly above North Carolina's median for the field ($27,624) and ahead of 60% of peer programs statewide, though initially they lag behind the national benchmark. That strong mid-career acceleration suggests graduates may start in entry-level positions but advance relatively quickly, possibly into coaching, athletic coordination, or school administration roles.

The $25,000 debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.88 ratio), meaning graduates can realistically handle loan payments even during those leaner early years. Still, families should recognize that this is a field where starting salaries are modest regardless of school—even top NC programs like Meredith ($38,525) don't break $40,000. The four-year earnings growth here is notably stronger than typical for this field, which helps justify the investment.

For students genuinely committed to careers in fitness, athletics, or physical education—and comfortable with a slower financial start—Wingate delivers solid value within North Carolina. Just understand you're signing up for a few lean years before hitting your stride.