College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2025 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in California

39 Colleges in California
10,576 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$34,558 Avg Early-Career Salary
Health & Physical Education is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #11 most popular major 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 looked at 39 colleges and universities when compiling its 2025 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 10,576 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 in California 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. For our Best Overall Health & Physical Education School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

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

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 Schools in California. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

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.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in California

The schools below may not offer all types of phys ed degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

10 Top California Schools in Phys Ed

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
408 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$26,327 Median Starting Salary

San Diego State University is one of the finest schools in the United States for getting a degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #185 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SDSU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 408 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program report average early career earnings of $26,327.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from San Diego State University

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
370 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$60,226 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat Concordia University, Irvine if you wish to pursue a degree in health & physical education. Concordia University, Irvine is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Irvine. This university ranks 67th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 370 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Concordia University, Irvine receive $25,667 more than the standard phys ed graduate.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Concordia University, Irvine

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Business Administration - Sport Management Program Name

Turn your passion for sports into a career with a wide range of employment options with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

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

Related Programs

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
199 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$26,176 Median Starting Salary

Every student pursuing a degree in health & physical education has to check out San Francisco State University. Located in the city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #225 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means SFSU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 199 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career income of $26,176.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from San Francisco State University

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
45 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$64,450 Median Starting Salary

Saint Mary's College of California is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Moraga, SMC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #148 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means SMC is a great college overall.

There were about 45 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at SMC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education program at Saint Mary's College of California earn $29,892 more than the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Saint Mary’s College of California

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
389 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$30,891 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #246 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means CSULB is a great university overall.

There were roughly 389 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $30,891 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University - Long Beach

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
309 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
1.6% Growth in Graduates

Sac State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Sacramento. A Best Colleges rank of #267 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Sac State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 309 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn around $31,901 for their early career.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University - Sacramento

7
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
163 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
6.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #152 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means USFCA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 163 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from University of San Francisco earn $7,238 more than the typical phys ed student.

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

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

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
159 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$28,364 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Pomona, Cal Poly Pomona is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #436 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cal Poly Pomona is a great university overall.

There were roughly 159 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly Pomona in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the phys ed program make an average of $28,364 for their early career.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
558 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$25,151 Median Starting Salary

Cal State Fullerton is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Fullerton. A Best Colleges rank of #271 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Cal State Fullerton is a great university overall.

There were roughly 558 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Cal State Fullerton in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn around $25,151 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University - Fullerton

10
Associate Degree Highest Degree Type
195 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
8.2% Growth in Graduates

Riverside City College is a very large public college located in the city of Riverside. This college ranks 71st out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 195 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Riverside City College in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program make an average of $25,516 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Riverside City College

Best Health & Physical Education Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Health & Physical Education Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 300 572
Oregon 266 579
Nevada 192 267
Hawaii 164 171
Alaska 119 19

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
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 6,199
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 3,277
Sports Management 654
Physical Fitness Technician 374
Sports Studies 69
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 3

View All Phys Ed Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 587
Recreation Administration 69
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 1

View All Phys Ed Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options