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2024 Best Health & Physical Education Schools

540 Colleges in the United States
66,552 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$31,390 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in health & physical education, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #11 most popular program in the country. This means there are lots of options to choose from when you decide to get your degree.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 540 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health & physical education students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 66,552 degrees in health & physical education to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Health & Physical Education School

Best Health & Physical Education Schools The phys ed program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Health & Physical Education rankings. We derive our Best Overall Health & Physical Education School rankings by rolling up our degree-level rankings after weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each school.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Health & Physical Education Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Phys Ed
Bachelor's Degrees in Phys Ed
Master's Degrees in Phys Ed
Doctor's Degrees in Phys Ed

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the phys ed degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Phys Ed

1
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
104 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$38,232 Median Starting Salary

Rice University is a good choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Rice is a great university overall.

There were approximately 104 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Rice University receive $6,842 more than the average phys ed graduate.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Rice University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
310 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$39,092 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat University of Michigan - Ann Arbor if you wish to pursue a degree in health & physical education. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 310 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get $7,702 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Sport Management Program Name

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More information about a degree in BS in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
67 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$60,701 Median Starting Salary

Columbia University in the City of New York is a great decision for students interested in a degree in health & physical education. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were about 67 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Columbia University in the City of New York get an earnings boost of around $29,311 above the average income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Columbia University in the City of New York

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
307 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$35,998 Median Starting Salary

The University of Texas at Austin is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education. UT Austin is a very large public university located in the city of Austin. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were about 307 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from The University of Texas at Austin receive an earnings boost of around $4,608 above the average income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from The University of Texas at Austin

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
538 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$39,511 Median Starting Salary

Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall.

There were approximately 538 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education degree program at Texas A&M University - College Station make $8,121 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Texas A&M University - College Station

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Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Sport Management Program Name

Turn your passion for sports into a career and a path to high-level roles in the industry with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
207 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
28.5% Growth in Graduates

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were about 207 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career income of $27,879.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Wisconsin - Madison

7
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
90 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$35,286 Median Starting Salary

Emory is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were about 90 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Emory University get an earnings boost of approximately $3,896 above the average income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Emory University

8
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
569 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$31,109 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were approximately 569 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $31,109 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Iowa

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Sport Management Program Name

Turn your passion for sports into a career and a path to high-level roles in the industry with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
54 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$48,897 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were roughly 54 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Northwestern University get an earnings boost of around $17,507 over the typical income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Northwestern University

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
424 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$37,912 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were approximately 424 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Indiana University - Bloomington earn a boost of around $6,522 over the typical income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Indiana University - Bloomington

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
317 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$35,166 Median Starting Salary

Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 317 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Miami University - Oxford receive $3,776 more than the typical phys ed graduate.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Miami University - Oxford

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Sport Management Program Name

Turn your passion for sports into a career and a path to high-level roles in the industry with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

12
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
332 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
25.6% Growth in Graduates

UF is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville. This university ranks 1st out of 77 schools for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 332 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from University of Florida receive $7,292 more than the typical phys ed graduate.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Florida

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
244 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$37,478 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were roughly 243.99999999999997 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at Ohio State University - Main Campus earn $6,088 more than the typical college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Ohio State University - Main Campus

14
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
268 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$37,591 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 268 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at James Madison University get $6,201 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from James Madison University

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Sport Management Program Name

Turn your passion for sports into a career and a path to high-level roles in the industry with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
181 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
20.4% Growth in Graduates

UMass Amherst is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Amherst. This university ranks 11th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were approximately 181 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health & physical education degree program at University of Massachusetts Amherst make $8,129 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Massachusetts Amherst

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
364 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$31,781 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were approximately 364 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program make around $31,781 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Arizona State University - Tempe

17
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
295 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$34,792 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 13 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were roughly 295 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from University of Utah get an earnings boost of approximately $3,402 above the average earnings of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Utah

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Sport Management Program Name

Turn your passion for sports into a career and a path to high-level roles in the industry with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

18
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
698 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
2.1% Growth in Graduates

American Military University is a very large private for-profit university located in the town of Charles Town. This university ranks 1st out of 28 schools for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were roughly 698 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education degree program at American Public University System get $19,479 more than the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from American Public University System

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
371 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$36,665 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were roughly 371 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education degree program at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill get $5,275 above the typical college graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
341 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
19.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were about 341 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent year we have data available. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from University of South Carolina - Columbia earn a boost of approximately $8,530 above the average income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of South Carolina - Columbia

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Sport Management Program Name

Turn your passion for sports into a career and a path to high-level roles in the industry with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
66 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
22.7% Growth in Graduates

UCONN is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Storrs. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were about 66 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from University of Connecticut earn $11,336 more than the standard phys ed student.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Connecticut

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
133 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
21.1% Growth in Graduates

SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Dallas. This university ranks 4th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were about 133 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Southern Methodist University receive $15,506 more than the average phys ed grad.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Southern Methodist University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
208 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$30,536 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were about 208 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, phys ed degree recipients generally make an average of $30,536 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Maryland - College Park

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Sport Management Program Name

Turn your passion for sports into a career and a path to high-level roles in the industry with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Sport Management from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
358 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
15.4% Growth in Graduates

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Athens. This university ranks 3rd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were about 358 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, phys ed degree recipients generally make around $29,679 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Georgia

25
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
121 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
3.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 121 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from University of Virginia - Main Campus receive an earnings boost of around $18,563 over the typical earnings of health & physical education majors.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Virginia - Main Campus

Rest of the Top 50 Best Health & Physical Education Schools

26
27
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
28
29
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
30
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
31
32

33

34
35
36
37
38
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
39
40
41

42

43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Additional Award Winners

This list represents the rest of the colleges awarded a Best Health & Physical Education Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 540 different United States health & physical education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
52 Towson University Towson, MD
53 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
54 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
55 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
56 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
57 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
58 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
59 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
60 Loras College Dubuque, IA
61 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
62 Saint Ambrose University Davenport, IA
62 School Removed
63 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
64 California Baptist University Riverside, CA
65 Ball State University Muncie, IN
66 Seattle University Seattle, WA
67 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
68 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
69 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
70 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
71 University of Mississippi University, MS
72 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
73 United States Sports Academy Daphne, AL
74 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
75 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
76 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
77 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
78 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
79 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
80 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
81 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Health & Physical Education students that almost earned our Best Health & Physical Education Schools award.

Rank College Location
82 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
83 Winona State University Winona, MN
84 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
85 Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OK
86 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
87 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
87 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
88 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
89 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
90 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
91 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
92 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
93 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
94 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
95 Springfield College Springfield, MA
96 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
97 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
98 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
99 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
100 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
101 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
102 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
103 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
104 John Carroll University University Heights, OH
105 Ashland University Ashland, OH
106 Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN
107 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
108 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ

Health & Physical Education by Region

View the Best Health & Physical Education Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Health & Physical Education is one of 4 different types of Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies programs to choose from.

Phys Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 32,435
Sports Management 17,486
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 13,335
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 1,377
Physical Fitness Technician 1,336
Sports Studies 583

View All Phys Ed Focus Areas >

Majors Similar to Phys Ed

Related Major Annual Graduates
Recreation Administration 2,826
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 2,818
Outdoor Education 313
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 232

View All Phys Ed Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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