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2025 Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools

533 Colleges in the United States
48,205 Bachelor's Degrees
$31,043 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.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 533 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health & physical education students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 48,205 bachelor's degrees in health & physical education to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

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

Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools The phys ed bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

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

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

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

One Size Does Not Fit All

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

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

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 United States

Learn about 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 Schools for a Bachelor's in Phys Ed

1
279 Annual Graduates
$43,506 Median Starting Salary
$51,876 Median Student Debt

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a great decision for individuals interested in a bachelor's 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.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor make $12,463 more than the typical phys ed student.

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

2
466 Annual Graduates
$37,044 Median Starting Salary
$35,116 Median Student Debt

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in health & physical education has to look into Texas A&M University - College Station. Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station earn a boost of about $6,001 above the average earnings of health & physical education graduates.

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

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
543 Annual Graduates
$31,998 Median Starting Salary
$26,495 Median Student Debt

University of Iowa is a great choice for students interested in a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population.

After graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients generally earn an average of $31,998 in the first five years of their career.

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

4
272 Annual Graduates
$35,583 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. UT Austin is a very large public university located in the city of Austin.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education degree program at The University of Texas at Austin earn $4,540 above the standard college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

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

5
395 Annual Graduates
$35,873 Median Starting Salary
$34,154 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from Indiana University - Bloomington make $4,830 more than the standard phys ed student.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Indiana University - Bloomington

6
167 Annual Graduates
$36,592 Median Starting Salary
$27,480 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus receive an earnings boost of around $5,549 above the average income of health & physical education graduates.

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

7
257 Annual Graduates
$40,486 Median Starting Salary
$50,620 Median Student Debt

Located in the fringe town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education major at Miami University - Oxford get $9,443 above the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Miami University - Oxford

8

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the city of Madison.

Soon after graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients generally earn around $29,866 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Wisconsin - Madison

9
323 Annual Graduates
$32,651 Median Starting Salary
$36,969 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $32,651.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Arizona State University - Tempe

10
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
182 Annual Graduates
$29,322 Median Starting Salary
$49,700 Median Student Debt

Temple is a very large public university located in the large city of Philadelphia.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $29,322 for their early career.

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

11
322 Annual Graduates
$28,820 Median Starting Salary
$46,900 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career wages of $28,820.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

12
239 Annual Graduates
$33,108 Median Starting Salary
$23,654 Median Student Debt

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Athens.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education major at University of Georgia make $2,065 more than the typical college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

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

13
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
235 Annual Graduates
$34,821 Median Starting Salary
$80,196 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education degree program at Syracuse University earn $3,778 above the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

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

14
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
272 Annual Graduates
$35,955 Median Starting Salary
$31,724 Median Student Debt

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

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from James Madison University make $4,912 more than the standard phys ed grad.

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

15
365 Annual Graduates
$31,165 Median Starting Salary
$37,573 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduation, phys ed bachelor's recipients usually make an average of $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

16
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NY
247 Annual Graduates
$28,289 Median Starting Salary
$28,134 Median Student Debt

Located in the town of Cortland, SUNY Cortland is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

After graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients typically earn about $28,289 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from SUNY Cortland

17
176 Annual Graduates
$31,187 Median Starting Salary
$39,899 Median Student Debt

UIUC is a very large public university located in the city of Champaign.

After graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients typically earn an average of $31,187 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

18
189 Annual Graduates
$31,403 Median Starting Salary
$39,164 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $31,403 for their early career.

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

19
86 Annual Graduates
$36,050 Median Starting Salary
$37,270 Median Student Debt

UMN Twin Cities is a very large public university located in the city of Minneapolis.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities earn a boost of about $5,007 over the average income of health & physical education majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

20
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
298 Annual Graduates
$28,045 Median Starting Salary
$46,124 Median Student Debt

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the city of East Lansing.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the phys ed program make around $28,045 for their early career.

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

21
Carroll U crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
118 Annual Graduates
$33,333 Median Starting Salary
$33,421 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Waukesha, Carroll U is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Carroll University earn a boost of around $2,290 above the typical earnings of health & physical education majors.

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

22
150 Annual Graduates
$26,555 Median Starting Salary
$52,440 Median Student Debt

Located in the suburb of Newark, UD is a public university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduation, phys ed bachelor's recipients generally make an average of $26,555 at the beginning of their careers.

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

23
313 Annual Graduates
$27,374 Median Starting Salary
$36,353 Median Student Debt

UT Knoxville is a very large public university located in the city of Knoxville.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career wages of $27,374.

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

24
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO
117 Annual Graduates
$45,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Saint Louis University

25
354 Annual Graduates
$26,327 Median Starting Salary
$26,687 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program make around $26,327 in the first couple years of working.

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

Rest of the Top 50 Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools

26
27
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
28
29
30
31
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
32

33

34
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
35
36
37
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
38
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
39
40
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
41

42
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

43
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
44
45
46
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
47
48
Endicott crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA
49
50

Additional Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 20% of the 533 different United States health & physical education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 University of Mississippi University, MS
52 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
53 Elon University Elon, NC
54 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
55 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
56 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
57 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
58 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
59 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
60 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
61 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
62 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
63 Canisius College Buffalo, NY
64 Plymouth State University Plymouth, NH
65 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
66 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
67 Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC
68 East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PA
69 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
70 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
71 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
72 Concordia University, Chicago River Forest, IL
73 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
74 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
75 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
76 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
77 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
78 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
79 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
80 University of North Texas Denton, TX
81 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
82 Grand View University Des Moines, IA
83 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
84 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
85 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
86 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
87 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
88 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
89 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
90 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
91 Baylor University Waco, TX
92 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
93 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
94 Winona State University Winona, MN
95 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
96 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
97 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
98 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
99 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
100 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
101 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
102 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX
103 North Central College Naperville, IL
104 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
105 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
106 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
107 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
108 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
109 Cumberland University Lebanon, TN
110 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
111 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA
112 Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OH
113 Pepperdine University Malibu, CA
114 Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC
115 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
116 Illinois State University Normal, IL
117 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
118 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
119 Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA
120 Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH
121 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
122 University of Mount Union Alliance, OH
123 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
124 University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO
125 Manhattanville College Purchase, NY
126 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
127 University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
128 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
129 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
130 Aurora University Aurora, IL
131 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
132 Linfield University - McMinnville Campus McMinnville, OR
133 Dean College Franklin, MA
134 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
135 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
136 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
137 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC
138 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
139 Westfield State University Westfield, MA
140 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
141 Lasell University Newton, MA
142 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
143 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX
144 Concordia University, Irvine Irvine, CA
145 Adrian College Adrian, MI
146 Roanoke College Salem, VA
147 Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI
148 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
149 Adelphi University Garden City, NY
150 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL
151 University of North Alabama Florence, AL
152 Mississippi College Clinton, MS
153 Augustana University Sioux Falls, SD
154 Loras College Dubuque, IA
155 California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA
156 Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
157 California Baptist University Riverside, CA
158 Simmons University Boston, MA
159 University of Mary Bismarck, ND
160 Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN
161 Texas Woman’s University Denton, TX
162 SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY
163 Averett University Danville, VA
164 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, ND
165 Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX
166 California State University - East Bay Hayward, CA
167 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
168 Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO
169 Carthage College Kenosha, WI
170 Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA
171 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
172 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
173 Western Illinois University Macomb, IL
174 Bob Jones University Greenville, SC
175 The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX
176 Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO
177 The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN

Health & Physical Education by Region

View the Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree 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

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One of 4 majors within the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies area of study, Health & Physical Education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Phys Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 26,462
Sports Management 11,353
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 9,039
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 771
Sports Studies 377
Physical Fitness Technician 203

Related Major Annual Graduates
Recreation Administration 1,876
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 1,872
Outdoor Education 151
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 148

Notes and References

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