Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Youngstown State University

Youngstown State's Health and Physical Education program starts slow but shows impressive momentum, with earnings jumping 45% from year one to year four—reaching $44,372. That trajectory matters because many graduates begin in entry-level coaching or teaching positions before advancing into better-paying roles. However, at $30,661 initially, first-year earnings trail the Ohio median by about $2,300, placing this program in just the 40th percentile statewide. For comparison, Miami University and Ohio Dominican graduates in this field start near $40,000.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $26,393, it's manageable relative to that first paycheck (0.86 ratio) and sits below both state and national medians. The moderate sample size suggests steady enrollment without raising red flags about program viability. For Ohio families, the key question is whether the lower tuition at Youngstown State offsets the earnings gap—if you're paying significantly less than you would at Miami or Ohio State, the financial math could still work in your favor.

The takeaway: This program rewards patience. If your child can weather a modest starting salary and you're keeping costs down through in-state tuition or scholarships, the strong earnings growth suggests they'll catch up by mid-career. But students targeting immediate higher earnings should look at Ohio's top-performing programs.