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Parks, Recreation & Leisure · Health & Physical Education Rank #18 of 529

Health & Physical Educationat Northern Kentucky University

Graduates earn $42,725/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national Health & Physical Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $538K; scenarios range from $501K to $538K depending on AI disruption.

Highland Heights, KY Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
54 AVERAGE
54
Optimistic
51
Pessimistic
Earnings
$42,725
1-year post-graduation
ROI
12.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$538K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
28% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Northern Kentucky University

The standout outcomes for this program reflect its strong connection to the thriving healthcare and wellness sectors across Northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati metro area. Graduates often find robust opportunities with major regional employers like St. Elizabeth Healthcare, local school districts, and corporate wellness programs, which actively seek well-prepared professionals. The curriculum likely emphasizes practical skills and certifications, positioning you for diverse roles beyond traditional K-12 physical education, such as athletic training within sports organizations or managing fitness facilities. This broad preparation, combined with local industry demand, means you're entering a job market where your skills are highly valued. To maximize your potential, actively pursue internships and build a professional network early on, especially in your area of interest like corporate wellness or sports medicine.

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
$501K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple11.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$538K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple12.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$538K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score54/100
Earnings Multiple12.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky University

Other top programs at Northern Kentucky University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky University

What does a 54/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Health & Physical Education at Northern Kentucky University?

At 54/100, Northern Kentucky University's Health & Physical Education program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is Northern Kentucky University one of the best schools for Health & Physical Education?

Among 529 Health & Physical Education programs, Northern Kentucky University's #18 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.