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2024 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

95 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
9,445 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$32,200 Avg Early-Career Salary
Ranked #11 in popularity, health & physical education is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools in the Great Lakes Region to determine which ones were the best for health & physical education students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 9,445 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 the Great Lakes Region 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. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for health & physical education schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each 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
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 in the Great Lakes Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in the Great Lakes Region

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the phys ed degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

14 Top Great Lakes Region Schools in Phys Ed

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
326 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
0.6% Growth in Graduates

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a good choice for students interested in a degree in health & physical education. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly 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 approximately 326 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education program at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor earn $6,891 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

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

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
148 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
27.0% Growth in Graduates

University of Wisconsin - Madison is a good decision for students interested in a degree in health & physical education. UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were roughly 148 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, phys ed degree recipients typically earn around $27,879 at the beginning of their careers.

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

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
37.1% Growth in Graduates

It's hard to beat Northwestern University if you want to pursue a degree in health & physical education. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 62 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Northwestern University make $16,697 more than the typical phys ed graduate.

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

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
472 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
18.6% Growth in Graduates

Indiana University - Bloomington is a good option for students interested in a degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly 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 about 472 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Indiana University - Bloomington make $5,712 more than the typical phys ed grad.

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

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
347 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
3.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the fringe town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #116 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Miami University - Oxford is a great university overall.

There were about 347 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at Miami University - Oxford make $2,966 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
248 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
9.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were about 248 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 degree program at Ohio State University - Main Campus get $5,278 above the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

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

7
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
419 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
10.0% Growth in Graduates

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the small city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were about 419 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State 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 earnings of $32,285.

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

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
175 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$24,883 Median Starting Salary

UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 175 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $24,883 for their early career.

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

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
282 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$43,205 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 282 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health & physical education degree program at Ohio University - Athens Campus make $11,005 more than the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
429 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
20.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of River Forest, Concordia University, Chicago is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #170 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Concordia University, Chicago is a great university overall.

There were roughly 429 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Chicago in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Concordia University, Chicago receive $7,846 more than the average phys ed grad.

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

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
214 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$33,016 Median Starting Salary

UW - La Crosse is a large public university located in the small city of La Crosse. This university ranks 3rd out of 46 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wisconsin.

There were approximately 214 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UW - La Crosse 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 wages of $33,016.

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

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
149 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$34,901 Median Starting Salary

Ball State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Muncie. This university ranks 6th out of 42 schools for overall quality in the state of Indiana.

There were roughly 149 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at Ball State University get $2,700 above the average college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

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

13
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
266 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$35,182 Median Starting Salary

Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were roughly 266 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Central Michigan University make $2,981 more than the average phys ed student.

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

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
290 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
6.2% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large suburb of Allendale, GVSU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Michigan.

There were about 290 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at GVSU 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 $27,617.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Grand Valley State University

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 Schools in the Great Lakes Region award.

Rank College Location
15 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
16 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
16 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
17 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
18 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
19 John Carroll University University Heights, OH
20 Ashland University Ashland, OH
21 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
22 North Central College Naperville, IL
23 Trine University Angola, IN

Best Health & Physical Education Colleges by State

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

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Michigan 322 2,199
Ohio 314 2,493
Illinois 304 1,995
Indiana 294 1,564
Wisconsin 273 938

View All Rankings >

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

Phys Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 5,486
Sports Management 2,835
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 727
Physical Fitness Technician 170
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 149
Sports Studies 78

View All Phys Ed Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 475
Recreation Administration 392
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 51
Outdoor Education 21

View All Phys Ed Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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