Health and Wellness, General.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Health and Wellness, General.: The DTI for this program is 65.1%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Health and Wellness, General., compare your expected starting salary (currently $36024) to the average debt ($23450) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Health and Wellness, General.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 65.1%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Health and Wellness, General., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($36024) against the typical student debt ($23450), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Health and Wellness, General. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $36024, and the average student debt is $23450, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.65—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 35887 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Many students go on to become Health Education Specialists, a role with a projected 4.0% growth rate. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Health and Wellness, General. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Health and Wellness, General (CIP 51.0001) is a multidisciplinary health field focused on promoting physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being across individuals and communities. Rather than concentrating on one clinical specialty, this degree emphasizes prevention, lifestyle-based health improvement, and holistic care approaches that address the whole person. It reflects the growing recognition that long-term health outcomes are shaped not only by medical treatment, but by daily habits, environments, and access to supportive resources.
For a degree search site, Health and Wellness, General represents prevention-driven healthcare, personal empowerment, and broad career flexibility. As chronic disease, stress-related illness, and mental health challenges continue to rise, demand is increasing for professionals who can educate, coach, and support healthier lifestyles. This degree appeals to students who want a health-focused career without becoming a nurse, doctor, or therapist, and who are interested in wellness, education, and community impact.
What Is a Health and Wellness Degree?
A Health and Wellness, General degree is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students to understand health from a whole-person and population-based perspective. Programs under this classification integrate concepts from public health, nutrition, exercise science, psychology, and health education rather than focusing solely on clinical treatment.
This degree typically focuses on:
- Physical, mental, and emotional wellness principles
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Lifestyle behavior change and education
- Community and population health
- Wellness program design and implementation
Colleges and universities offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for non-clinical health and wellness careers
- Support workforce needs in prevention and health education
- Train professionals for wellness-focused roles in diverse settings
- Promote holistic and proactive approaches to health
Health and wellness programs emphasize education, empowerment, and long-term health improvement.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how lifestyle, environment, and behavior influence health outcomes across the lifespan. You’ll study how nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep, mental health, and social connection interact to support or undermine well-being.
The curriculum emphasizes applied health knowledge rather than medical diagnosis. Students learn how to communicate health information clearly, motivate behavior change, and design wellness initiatives for individuals, workplaces, schools, or communities. Programs often include practical components such as wellness assessments, program planning, and community engagement projects.
Students also explore health disparities, cultural competence, and ethical considerations to better understand how social and economic factors shape access to wellness resources.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Health education and communication—clear, supportive guidance
- Wellness coaching and behavior change support—motivation strategies
- Lifestyle and preventive health knowledge—nutrition, activity, stress
- Program planning and evaluation—wellness initiatives
- Mental and emotional wellness awareness—holistic support
- Community and population health understanding—broader impact
- Cultural competence in health promotion—inclusive practices
- Data literacy and health assessment basics—tracking outcomes
These skills are applicable across education, corporate wellness, and community health settings.
Topics You May Explore
Coursework in a health and wellness program commonly includes:
- Foundations of Health and Wellness: holistic health principles
- Nutrition and Lifestyle Health: diet and daily habits
- Physical Activity and Fitness for Health: movement and wellness
- Stress Management and Mental Health: resilience strategies
- Health Behavior and Motivation: behavior change models
- Community and Public Health: population-level wellness
- Health Education and Program Design: initiative planning
- Wellness Across the Lifespan: age-specific health needs
- Capstone or Applied Wellness Project: real-world application
Programs often allow students to tailor electives toward nutrition, fitness, mental health, or community outreach.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Health and Wellness, General degree prepares students for non-clinical roles that support healthy living and prevention. Career paths are broad and often grow with experience or additional certifications.
Common career paths include:
- Health or Wellness Educator: education and outreach
- Wellness Coach or Lifestyle Coach: individual support
- Corporate or Workplace Wellness Coordinator: employee programs
- Community Health Program Assistant: population initiatives
- Health Promotion Specialist: prevention-focused roles
- Fitness, Nutrition, or Wellness Support Staff: program delivery
- Graduate Study Preparation: public health or allied health fields
Many graduates pursue certifications to expand their scope and credibility.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in a wide range of health-supportive environments:
- Healthcare systems and clinics (non-clinical roles)
- Corporate wellness and human resources departments
- Community health organizations and nonprofits
- Schools, colleges, and educational programs
- Fitness, recreation, and wellness centers
- Government and public health agencies
- Insurance, benefits, and health advocacy organizations
Health and wellness professionals often work in prevention-focused and people-centered roles.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary based on role, employer, location, and certifications.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level health or wellness roles: often $40,000–$55,000
- Experienced wellness coordinators or educators: commonly $55,000–$75,000
- Program managers or specialized professionals: can reach $80,000–$105,000+
Corporate wellness, program leadership, and specialization can increase earning potential.
Is This Degree Hard?
Health and Wellness, General is considered moderately demanding and concept-focused. While it does not require advanced clinical science, students must integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines and develop strong communication skills. The challenge lies in applying theory to real-world behavior change rather than memorization alone.
Success requires empathy, organization, and a genuine interest in helping others improve their health.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Are passionate about healthy living and prevention
- Enjoy educating, motivating, and supporting others
- Want a health-related career without clinical licensing
- Are interested in fitness, nutrition, or mental wellness
- Prefer people-centered, proactive health roles
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a health and wellness program:
- Take biology, health, psychology, and physical education courses
- Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Learn about nutrition, fitness, and stress management
- Participate in health clubs, sports, or wellness activities
- Practice building healthy habits and self-awareness
Health and Wellness, General (CIP 51.0001) is a future-focused degree for students who want to help others live healthier, more balanced lives. It offers broad career flexibility, growing demand, and meaningful impact across communities and organizations. For those drawn to prevention, education, and holistic well-being rather than clinical treatment, this degree provides a strong and adaptable foundation in the modern health and wellness landscape.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor