by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 1,326 U.S. colleges awarded 68,170 degrees and certificates in Health & Physical Education. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 73% of graduates. College Factual ranks 1,010 schools in its 2027 Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $34,357 one year after completing, rising to $56,191 after four years.
If you enjoy working out and helping other get into shape, consider majoring in Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
In this major you will get to take classes in exercise science, biology, anatomy, physical education, nutrition, exercise techniques, and injury prevention. These classes will prepare you to teach others proper exercise and nutrition, monitor gym facilities, teach physical education classes, and improve athletic performance. A degree in this field allows students to work in a relaxed environment while improving the health and lifestyle of others.
While the general Health and Physical Education/Fitness major will allow students to learn about the field as a whole, some may decide they want to focus on a specific aspect of health and fitness. Areas of specialization available to students are Sport and Fitness Administration and Management, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Physical Fitness Technician, and Sports Studies.
Studying Health & Physical Education involves the study of Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/fitness.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, health & physical education is a widely-pursued major, with 68,170 degrees awarded annually. 1,326 colleges award health & physical education degrees, an average of 51 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 688.
By level, the 68,170 awards include 588 certificates, 5,804 associate degrees, 50,089 bachelor’s degrees, 11,190 master’s degrees and 355 doctorates.
Women earned 47% of health & physical education degrees and certificates in the latest year (31,870 of 68,170). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (36,440) and Hispanic or Latino (12,445), and international students earned 2,352.
College Factual ranks 1,010 schools in its 2027 Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking, including 162 for associate degrees, 786 for bachelor’s degrees, 261 for master’s degrees and 6 for doctorates. It also ranks health & physical education schools within 50 states. In all, 1,326 colleges offer health & physical education programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Health & Physical Education Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common health & physical education credential is the bachelor’s degree: 50,089 of the 68,170 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to health & physical education call most for Speaking, Instructing and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Education and Training, Customer and Personal Service and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
Students in Health and Physical Education will have to work closely with others, making interpersonal skills extremely important. Trainers and other health professionals must have the customer service skills to sell their services to new customers as well as retain those they already work with. Listening and problem solving skills will help professionals listen to the issues and goals of clients and develop health and exercise plans to help them meet those goals.
Health and Physical Education professionals work full time in varying environments. Those who pursue Physical Education often work in a school setting, while trainers and fitness technicians are employed in gyms or recreation centers. Some graduates work as personal trainers and may travel to clients' homes.
Summer jobs and internships will allow students to work in the field as fitness class instructors or other lower level employees. This experience will allow students to work in the field and decide if they wish to make it a career.
Along with a degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness, professionals must also be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). While some employers will provide this training, graduates who already have the certification will be more competitive in the job market.
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How long a health & physical education degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 588 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5,804 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 50,089 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 11,190 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 355 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to health & physical education, at 35.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.3% |
| Master’s degree | 25.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.1% |
| Some college courses | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Health & Physical Education, with an average median salary of $93,090; the strongest outlook belongs to Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, at 11.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Athletic Instructor, Gymnasium Teacher, Fitness Specialist and Exercise Specialist.
Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates have found jobs in a variety of locations from recreation centers and gyms to schools, resorts, health clubs, and hospitals. Since graduates have the skills to personalize fitness programs, some have decided to become self-employed.
Many people are beginning to understand the importance of health and fitness, causing an increased demand for professionals in this field.
The occupation related to health & physical education with the most projected jobs is Exercise Physiologists, at 1,771,772.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | 1,771,772 | 1.7% |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 596,959 | 11.6% |
| Coaches and Scouts | 332,603 | -0.5% |
| Athletic Trainers | 316,011 | -0.3% |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | 244,456 | 7.1% |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | 141,428 | 4.2% |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | 35,993 | -1.5% |
Health & Physical Education graduates earn a median $34,357 one year after completing their program, $56,191 after four years and $55,953 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,357 |
| 4 years | $56,191 |
| 5 years | $55,953 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to health & physical education is Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling, with a median salary of $170,172.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $170,172 |
| Exercise Physiologists | $144,072 |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $84,688 |
| Athletic Trainers | $79,834 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $78,709 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $54,441 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $39,714 |
Health & Physical Education includes 6 concentrations that together award 68,170 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Exercise Science and Kinesiology (32,999), Sport and Fitness Administration/Management (18,948) and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General (13,141). It has 4 similar majors in the Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness field, which together award 5,011 degrees a year; the largest are Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management (2,358), Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (2,266) and Outdoor Education (229). Browse all Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 32,999 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | 18,948 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General | 13,141 |
| Physical Fitness Technician | 1,451 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other | 1,059 |
| Sports Studies | 572 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 2,358 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 2,266 |
| Outdoor Education | 229 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other | 158 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
