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2025 Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

160 Colleges in the Southeast Region
14,144 Bachelor's Degrees
$29,678 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in health & physical education, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #9 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual reviewed 160 schools in the Southeast Region to determine which ones were the best for bachelor's degree seekers in the field of health & physical education. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 14,144 bachelor's degrees in health & physical education during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Health & Physical Education School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region Your choice of health & physical education for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality phys ed program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for health & physical education students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Health & Physical Education Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Phys Ed Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The phys ed school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Health & Physical Education in the Southeast Region

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for health & physical education students seeking a a bachelor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Southeast Region Schools for a Bachelor's in Phys Ed

1
239 Annual Graduates
$33,108 Median Starting Salary
$23,654 Median Student Debt

It is hard to beat University of Georgia if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education program at University of Georgia earn $3,430 more than the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Georgia

2
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
272 Annual Graduates
$35,955 Median Starting Salary
$31,724 Median Student Debt

It is hard to beat James Madison University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. JMU is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Harrisonburg.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education program at James Madison University make $6,277 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from James Madison University

3
365 Annual Graduates
$31,165 Median Starting Salary
$37,573 Median Student Debt

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the best schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill.

Soon after graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients generally make around $31,165 at the beginning of their careers.

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

4
313 Annual Graduates
$27,374 Median Starting Salary
$36,353 Median Student Debt

It is hard to beat The University of Tennessee - Knoxville if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Knoxville, UT Knoxville is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program report average early career income of $27,374.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

5
296 Annual Graduates
$40,702 Median Starting Salary
$43,753 Median Student Debt

UofSC is a very large public university located in the city of Columbia.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education major at University of South Carolina - Columbia make $11,024 more than the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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

6
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
119 Annual Graduates
$39,717 Median Starting Salary
$23,281 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education program at University of Florida earn $10,039 above the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Florida

7
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Winston-Salem.

After graduation, phys ed bachelor's recipients typically earn about $21,192 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Wake Forest University

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program make an average of $29,519 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Florida State University

9
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from Emory University earn $8,296 more than the typical phys ed student.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Emory University

10
260 Annual Graduates
$29,320 Median Starting Salary
$22,472 Median Student Debt

Located in the town of Statesboro, GaSou is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn an average of $29,320 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Georgia Southern University

11
108 Annual Graduates
$22,239 Median Starting Salary
$27,082 Median Student Debt

Ole Miss is a fairly large public university located in the town of University.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program make about $22,239 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Mississippi

12

Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program report average early career income of $21,440.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Elon University

13
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
268 Annual Graduates
$29,654 Median Starting Salary
$25,311 Median Student Debt

Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State is a public university with a fairly large student population.

After graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients generally earn around $29,654 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Mississippi State University

14

NC State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Raleigh.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education program at North Carolina State University get $4,039 above the average college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from North Carolina State University

15
58 Annual Graduates
$26,168 Median Starting Salary
$22,870 Median Student Debt

Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Fort Lauderdale.

After graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $26,168 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

16
255 Annual Graduates
$24,829 Median Starting Salary
$22,669 Median Student Debt

Located in the distant town of Boone, Appalachian State is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduation, phys ed bachelor's recipients generally earn around $24,829 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Appalachian State University

17

Located in the town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from American Public University System earn a boost of about $21,703 above the average earnings of health & physical education majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from American Public University System

18
214 Annual Graduates
$33,241 Median Starting Salary
$34,575 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Louisville, UofL is a public university with a very large student population.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Louisville earn $3,563 more than the standard phys ed student.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Louisville

19
44 Annual Graduates
$43,727 Median Starting Salary
$35,132 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Charleston, The Citadel is a public college with a small student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn a boost of about $14,049 above the average earnings of health & physical education majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Citadel Military College of South Carolina

20

GMU is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Fairfax.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from George Mason University make $5,212 more than the standard phys ed student.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from George Mason University

21
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
135 Annual Graduates
$28,934 Median Starting Salary
$48,514 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients generally earn around $28,934 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Arkansas

22
424 Annual Graduates
$32,305 Median Starting Salary
$14,764 Median Student Debt

UofM is a fairly large public university located in the city of Memphis.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education degree program at University of Memphis make $2,627 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Memphis

23
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
215 Annual Graduates
$27,423 Median Starting Salary
$36,692 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program report average early career income of $27,423.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Liberty University

24
200 Annual Graduates
$30,145 Median Starting Salary
$53,758 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Morgantown, WVU is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduation, phys ed bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $30,145 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from West Virginia University

25
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
125 Annual Graduates
$27,114 Median Starting Salary
$47,362 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career wages of $27,114.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from William & Mary

Rest of the Top Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region

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27
28
29
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
30
31
32
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Health & Physical Education students in the Southeast Region that almost earned our Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
33 Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC
34 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
35 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
36 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
37 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
38 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
39 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
40 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
41 Roanoke College Salem, VA
42 University of North Alabama Florence, AL
43 Mississippi College Clinton, MS
44 Averett University Danville, VA
45 Bob Jones University Greenville, SC
46 The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN
47 Campbell University Buies Creek, NC
48 Harding University Searcy, AR
49 The University of West Florida Pensacola, FL
50 The University of Tampa Tampa, FL
51 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
52 Belmont University Nashville, TN
53 Winthrop University Rock Hill, SC

Best Health & Physical Education Colleges by State

Explore the best health & physical education colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Florida 225 1,441
Georgia 224 1,490
Tennessee 220 2,118
North Carolina 213 2,665
Virginia 213 1,162
South Carolina 195 963
Kentucky 187 797
Alabama 184 662
Louisiana 171 526
Mississippi 169 837
Arkansas 167 583
West Virginia 147 938

View All Rankings >

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

Phys Ed Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 7,388
Sports Management 4,094
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 2,257
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 224
Sports Studies 135
Physical Fitness Technician 46

Related Major Annual Graduates
Recreation Administration 871
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 328
Outdoor Education 42
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 17

Notes and References

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