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Parks, Recreation & Leisure · Health & Physical Education Rank #460 of 529

Health & Physical Educationat Elon University

Graduates earn $21,440/yr in their first year — about 31.0% below the national Health & Physical Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $691K; scenarios range from $628K to $692K depending on AI disruption.

Elon, NC Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
27 AT RISK
28
Optimistic
27
Pessimistic
Earnings
$21,440
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.6x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$691K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
28% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Elon University

The earnings profile for Elon's Health and Physical Education/Fitness program, while perhaps surprising, often reflects the regional labor market and typical career trajectories in North Carolina. Many graduates embark on highly rewarding paths in public education, local recreation departments, or athletic training within school systems and community organizations. These roles, while incredibly impactful, often have structured pay scales, especially for entry-level positions, which can lag behind national averages that include higher-paying private sector or specialized roles in larger metropolitan areas.

The program's strong reputation for hands-on learning prepares you exceptionally well for these community-focused careers. However, to enhance your financial outlook, it’s crucial to proactively seek out internships or certifications that open doors to niches like corporate wellness, advanced sports performance, or specialized therapy roles. Developing a network within these areas while still a student can significantly broaden your post-graduation opportunities beyond traditional education and recreation.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$628K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple3.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$691K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score27/100
Earnings Multiple3.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$692K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score28/100
Earnings Multiple3.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Elon University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Health & Physical Education graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling
+7.7% 10-yr growth · 5,500 openings/yr
$77,180/yr
Moderate
2
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary
+2.4% 10-yr growth · 1,100 openings/yr
$75,890/yr
High
3
Athletes and sports competitors
+5.5% 10-yr growth · 2,100 openings/yr
$62,360/yr
Low
4
Athletic trainers
+11.1% 10-yr growth · 2,400 openings/yr
$60,250/yr
Low
5
Exercise physiologists
+9.5% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$58,160/yr
Low
6
Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
+11.9% 10-yr growth · 74,200 openings/yr
$46,180/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Health & Physical Education

How Elon University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
American Public University System
WV · Private for-profit
60
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
15.4x
ROI
Rice University
TX · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$51K
1-yr earn
2.1x
ROI
Simmons University
MA · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
3.4x
ROI
Lubbock Christian University
TX · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
WI · Public
53
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
12.8x
ROI
Also at Elon University

Other top programs at Elon University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Elon University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Health & Physical Education offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Health & Physical Education trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Health & Physical Education at Elon University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Health & Physical Education at Elon University?

A score of 27/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Health & Physical Education. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Health & Physical Education at Elon University worth the student debt?

Median debt of $22,750 against $21,440/yr starting salary means roughly 1.1 years of earnings go to repayment. That's above average — financial aid and loan terms matter here.

Can you still earn well with Health & Physical Education from Elon University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.