Program Analysis
Valparaiso University Health & Physical Education graduates command $44,937/yr out of the gate, well above the $31,057 national median. That 45% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.
The financial case is thin at 2.9x — decade earnings barely exceed the cost of attendance. The value proposition here is driven by factors beyond pure ROI.
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 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $26,348 represents roughly 7 months of the $44,937 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #199 of 529 Health & Physical Education programs, Valparaiso University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $44,937 to $58,510 over five years — a 30% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.