Physical Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 207 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physical education students pursuing a degree.
The physical education program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Physical Education Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Physical Education School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Physical Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Physical Education in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 ranking of the best physical education schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $42,490 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,135.
Read more about the physical education program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for physical education. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 69 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans.
Read more about the physical education program at University Of Missouri Columbia
Emory University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Emory University awarded about 66 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Emory University earn a median of $37,974 early in their careers. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,883 in student loans.
See the full physical education program report for Emory University
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for physical education. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 294 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $39,401 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical education details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Indiana University Bloomington is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 21 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $44,640 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical education from Indiana University Bloomington
James Madison University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 141 physical education students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $40,528. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full physical education program report for James Madison University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #7 for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 76 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $30,472 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,666.
More information about a degree in physical education from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #8 among the best physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 51 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $35,583 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical education from The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Georgia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,359. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans.
See the full physical education program report for University Of Georgia
San Jose State University earned the #10 position for physical education this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 259 physical education students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year.
Get the full physical education details for San Jose State University
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. About 51 physical education degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,137. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Rhode Island earned the #12 position for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. About 19 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of Rhode Island earn around $52,821 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,432.
More information about a degree in physical education from University Of Rhode Island
Texas Christian University earned the #13 position for physical education this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Texas Christian University awarded about 21 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from Texas Christian University
California State University Sacramento earned the #14 position for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 285 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $31,901. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $18,129 in student loans.
Get the full physical education details for California State University Sacramento
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #15 spot for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 216 physical education degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $28,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical education program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona
San Diego State University earned the #16 position for physical education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 381 physical education students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $26,327 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Get the full physical education details for San Diego State University
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best physical education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 148 physical education students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year.
See the full physical education program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
California State University Long Beach earned the #18 position for physical education this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 292 physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $35,753 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical education program at California State University Long Beach
University Of The Pacific came in at #19 for physical education this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical education program at University Of The Pacific
College Of William And Mary came in at #20 for physical education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 110 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $27,114 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,413.
See the full physical education program report for College Of William And Mary
Ohio University Main Campus placed #21 among the best physical education schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 105 physical education degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $45,420 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the physical education program at Ohio University Main Campus
Illinois State University came in at #22 for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 58 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $37,059 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from Illinois State University
Montana State University earned the #23 position for physical education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Bozeman. Montana State University graduates 57% of students within six years. Montana State University awarded about 20 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $47,703 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete this degree.
See the full physical education program report for Montana State University
Central Washington University came in at #24 for physical education this year. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Central Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Central Washington University earn around $48,410 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,848.
Get the full physical education details for Central Washington University
California State University Fresno landed the #25 spot for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 240 physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from California State University Fresno earn around $26,931 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from California State University Fresno
Rest of the Top 50 Physical Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for physical education this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 207 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
