Health and Physical Education/Fitness at York College of Pennsylvania

York College's Health and Physical Education program commands one of the lowest debt loads nationally while delivering earnings that significantly outpace national expectations. With $27,000 in debt and first-year earnings of $35,739, graduates face a 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio—far better than most programs in this field. The 34% earnings jump by year four, climbing to nearly $48,000, shows graduates aren't stuck in low-wage fitness or rec center jobs but are advancing into higher-paying roles in teaching, corporate wellness, or specialized training positions.

Within Pennsylvania, this program ranks solidly in the 60th percentile, placing it just above middle-of-the-pack among the state's 52 programs. It trails the top performers like Alvernia ($41,508) but delivers comparable outcomes to regional state universities at what's likely a similar or better price point. The manageable debt is the real differentiator here—it ranks in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with more debt.

For families weighing PE/fitness programs, this represents a financially responsible path into a field that often struggles with post-graduation earnings. The combination of low debt and above-average starting salaries means graduates can actually afford to work in schools or community health settings without being crushed by loan payments. Just understand that even with strong four-year earnings of $48,000, this remains a modest-income profession—but York positions graduates to enter it without excessive financial burden.