Health & Physical Educationat Western Colorado University
Graduates earn $21,038/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Health & Physical Education average. Base-case 10-year earnings $605K; scenarios range from $556K to $606K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Western Colorado University
The earnings data for Western Colorado University's Health and Physical Education/Fitness program, showing figures below the national average for this major, reflects its unique context. Located in Gunnison, a smaller mountain town, the immediate labor market for traditional fitness roles, sports management, or specialized healthcare positions is distinct from larger metropolitan areas. Many graduates from programs like this in similar regional settings often find fulfilling careers in local K-12 education, community recreation departments, or outdoor adventure industries, which can offer a lifestyle appeal but typically start at more modest salaries.
Your career trajectory will heavily depend on how you leverage the regional strengths. Western Colorado's outdoor environment naturally lends itself to roles in ski resorts, recreation centers, or wellness programs tied to a tourism economy. To elevate your earning potential, consider internships that connect you with larger employers outside the immediate region, or plan for advanced certifications and graduate studies in specialized fields like sports medicine or exercise physiology that are in demand in higher-paying markets.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Western Colorado University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Health & Physical Education
How Western Colorado University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Western Colorado University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Western Colorado 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 →Frequently asked about Health & Physical Education at Western Colorado University
How does Western Colorado University's Health & Physical Education program score?
This program scores 37/100 — on the lower end for Health & Physical Education. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Do Western Colorado University Health & Physical Education graduates earn enough to justify the loans?
The debt-to-income ratio of 1.1x suggests an extended repayment window. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on career trajectory, not just first-year pay.
Why are Health & Physical Education earnings lower at Western Colorado University?
Lower starting pay at Western Colorado University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.