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

95 Colleges in the Great Lakes Region
9,354 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$32,213 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 9,354 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
310 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$39,092 Median Starting Salary

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a great 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 310 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor make $6,879 more than the average phys ed grad.

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

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
207 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
28.5% 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 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. After graduation, phys ed degree recipients generally earn around $27,879 in the first five years of their career.

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

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
54 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$48,897 Median Starting Salary

It's hard to beat Northwestern University if you wish to pursue a degree in health & physical education. Located in the 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 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 54 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Northwestern University make $16,684 more than the standard phys ed student.

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

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
424 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$37,912 Median Starting Salary

Indiana University - Bloomington is a great 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 very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were about 424 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Indiana University - Bloomington earn $5,699 more than the standard phys ed grad.

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

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
317 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$35,166 Median Starting Salary

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

There were about 317 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Miami University - Oxford make $2,953 more than the standard phys ed grad.

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

6
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 fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

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. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Ohio State University - Main Campus receive $5,265 more than the typical phys ed student.

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

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
333 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$32,285 Median Starting Salary

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

There were approximately 333 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year. 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
184 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
4.9% Growth in Graduates

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

There were about 184 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program make about $24,883 in the first couple years of working.

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

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

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

There were about 246 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Ohio University - Athens Campus earn $10,992 more than the typical phys ed grad.

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

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
375 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$40,046 Median Starting Salary

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

There were roughly 375 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Chicago in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Concordia University, Chicago earn a boost of about $7,833 above the typical income of health & physical education majors.

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

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
219 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
2.3% Growth in Graduates

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

There were approximately 219 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 earnings 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
143 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$34,901 Median Starting Salary

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

There were approximately 143 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Ball State in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Ball State University receive an earnings boost of approximately $2,688 above the typical earnings of health & physical education graduates.

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
226 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$35,182 Median Starting Salary

Located in the distant 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 226 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Central Michigan University receive an earnings boost of about $2,969 over the average income of health & physical education graduates.

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

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
275 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$27,617 Median Starting Salary

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

There were roughly 275 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at GVSU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program report 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.

RankCollegeLocation
15University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
16Xavier UniversityCincinnati, OH
16University of DaytonDayton, OH
17Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
18University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH
19John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights, OH
20Ashland UniversityAshland, OH
21Purdue University - Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN
22North Central CollegeNaperville, IL
23Trine UniversityAngola, IN

Best Health & Physical Education Colleges by State

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

StateCollegesDegrees Awarded
Michigan3222,199
Ohio3142,493
Illinois3041,995
Indiana2941,564
Wisconsin273938

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

MajorAnnual Graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology5,138
Sports Management2,968
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General787
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness228
Physical Fitness Technician151
Sports Studies82

View All Phys Ed Focus Areas >

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies469
Recreation Administration292
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies61
Outdoor Education24

View All Phys Ed Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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