Program Analysis
University of South Carolina-Columbia Health & Physical Education graduates command $40,702/yr out of the gate, well above the $31,057 national median. That 31% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Health & Physical Education programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Health & Physical Education's typical career paths, with 25% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $21,500 represents roughly 6 months of the $40,702 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #15 of 529 nationally, this is a top-5% Health & Physical Education program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Five-year earnings of $63,908 show a 57% jump from the $40,702 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.