Health & Physical Education at Marshall University

Huntington, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Health and Physical Education/Fitness
43 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
44
Optimistic
43
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $20,682/yr (-33% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (25% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (128,800 openings/yr)
ROI 18.8x earnings multiple (8.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #172 of 529 Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Health & Physical Education graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $674K $673K $613K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.8x 18.8x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.3x 7.6x
Probability of Field Employment 42% 42% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 44 43 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,768
Out-of-state: $81,176 (8.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$33,308
7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,888
13.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,936
195% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Marshall University's Health & Physical Education graduates start at $20,682/yr, trailing the $31,057 national average by 33%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 18.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 25% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $22,888 debt load exceeds a year of the $20,682 starting salary, suggesting a multi-year repayment window before graduates break even financially.

Ranked #172 out of 529 programs, Marshall University's Health & Physical Education offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth from $20,682 to $60,936 over five years (195% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Marshall University

A 96% acceptance rate means Marshall University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 7,149 in Huntington, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Marshall University →

Top Career Paths

Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling $77,180/yr
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary $75,890/yr
Athletes and sports competitors $62,360/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Health & Physical Education at Other Schools

Other Majors at Marshall University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Marshall University's Health & Physical Education program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Health & Physical Education. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Marshall University Health & Physical Education graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Why are Health & Physical Education earnings lower at Marshall University?
Lower starting pay at Marshall University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →