Home Schools University of Michigan Health & Physical Education
Parks, Recreation & Leisure · Health & Physical Education Rank #6 of 529

Health & Physical Educationat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Graduates earn $43,506/yr in their first year — about 40.0% above the national Health & Physical Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $636K; scenarios range from $582K to $637K depending on AI disruption.

Ann Arbor, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
53
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,506
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$636K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
28% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Michigan

The strong financial outcomes for UMich's Health and Physical Education/Fitness program reflect the institution's elite reputation and robust professional pipelines. Employers across the region and beyond recognize the caliber of a Michigan graduate, opening doors to more advanced roles in a competitive market. This degree often serves as a springboard into leadership positions within university athletic departments, corporate wellness programs, or large fitness organizations, leveraging the comprehensive training and network you'll build. The curriculum frequently emphasizes both practical application and the scientific underpinnings of human performance, preparing you for specialized certifications like athletic training or even further graduate study for roles in higher education. To maximize your potential, actively seek internships with UMich Athletics or Michigan Medicine to gain invaluable hands-on experience and build crucial professional connections.

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
$582K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score53/100
Earnings Multiple8.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$636K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple9.2x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$637K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple9.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan'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 University of Michigan 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 University of Michigan

Other top programs at University of Michigan

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, 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 University of Michigan

What does a 56/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Health & Physical Education at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

At 56/100, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Health & Physical Education program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is University of Michigan-Ann Arbor one of the best schools for Health & Physical Education?

Among 529 Health & Physical Education programs, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.