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Parks, Recreation & Leisure · Health & Physical Education Rank #7 of 529

Health & Physical Educationat North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Graduates earn $33,717/yr in their first year — about 9.0% above the national Health & Physical Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $678K; scenarios range from $617K to $679K depending on AI disruption.

Raleigh, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
55
Pessimistic
Earnings
$33,717
1-year post-graduation
ROI
19.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$678K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
28% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at NC State

Your degree from NC State in Health and Physical Education/Fitness benefits significantly from the university's strong reputation within North Carolina's robust education and wellness sectors. The program's standing reflects not just academic rigor, but also its deep connections to the dynamic Research Triangle Park region. Here, a growing population fuels demand for skilled professionals across K-12 physical education, university athletic departments, and a burgeoning private fitness and recreation industry. Graduates often find opportunities with local school systems, major fitness chains, or even corporate wellness programs within RTP's many companies. The comprehensive nature of the curriculum, blending health science with practical application, equips you for diverse roles from athletic training to recreation management. To truly maximize your outcomes, proactively seek internships that align with your specific career interest early in your academic journey, leveraging NCSU's extensive network.

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
$617K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple17.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$678K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple19.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$679K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple19.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to NC State'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 NC State 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 NC State

Other top programs at NC State

Other highest-scoring programs offered at NC State, 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 NC State

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Health & Physical Education at North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Health & Physical Education field.

What makes North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Health & Physical Education program stand out?

Ranked #7 of 529 programs nationally, North Carolina State University at Raleigh lands in the top 1%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.