Home Schools Valparaiso University Health & Physical Education
Parks, Recreation & Leisure · Health & Physical Education Rank #199 of 529

Health & Physical Educationat Valparaiso University

Graduates earn $44,937/yr in their first year — about 45.0% above the national Health & Physical Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $544K; scenarios range from $506K to $544K depending on AI disruption.

Valparaiso, IN Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
41 AVERAGE
41
Optimistic
38
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,937
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.1x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$544K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
28% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Valparaiso University

The strong financial outcomes for Valparaiso's Health and Physical Education/Fitness program likely stem from its practical, hands-on approach and its strategic location. A private university often means smaller class sizes and dedicated faculty, fostering robust professional development and strong alumni connections. You're not just preparing for traditional teaching roles, but also leveraging the "health" component for careers in corporate wellness, sports management, athletic training clinics, or even as a foundation for advanced clinical degrees. The regional labor market, including opportunities in nearby larger Indiana cities and even Chicago, provides diverse employment options in healthcare systems, private fitness facilities, and educational institutions. Focus on actively pursuing internships in varied settings early in your studies to fully explore these pathways and build your professional 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
$506K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$544K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$544K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Valparaiso University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Health & Physical Education at Valparaiso University?

A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Health & Physical Education. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Is Valparaiso University a hidden gem for Health & Physical Education?

After financial aid, the average student pays $86,332 over four years — 54% below the $186,352 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.