2026 Best Physical Education Schools in the Far Western Region
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.
College Factual analyzed 126 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Physical Education in the Far Western Region
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.
Top Schools in Physical Education
San Jose State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best physical education schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 281 physical education degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Get the full physical education details for San Jose State University
Students looking for a strong physical education program will find one at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, which ranked #2. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 193 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. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full physical education program report for California State Polytechnic University Pomona
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 76 physical education students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 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. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California State University Sacramento is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical education, ranking #4. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 299 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $31,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,129.
See the full physical education program report for California State University Sacramento
A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of the top schools for physical education. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. California State University Long Beach awarded about 278 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,753 early in their careers. 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 ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. About 52 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500.
See the full physical education program report for University Of The Pacific
Central Washington University came in at #7 for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Ellensburg. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 31 physical education degrees were awarded at Central Washington University in the most recent 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.
See the full physical education program report for Central Washington University
San Diego State University came in at #8 for physical education this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 405 physical education degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $26,327. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Read more about the physical education program at San Diego State University
California State University Fresno placed #9 among the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. California State University Fresno awarded about 317 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans.
Get the full physical education details for California State University Fresno
California State University East Bay ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University East Bay awarded about 135 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $33,189. Typical student debt for the program is $18,250.
Read more about the physical education program at California State University East Bay
Sonoma State University placed #11 among the best physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 95 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $33,022 in their early career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,628 in student loans.
See the full physical education program report for Sonoma State University
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #12 position for physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $49,447 early in their careers. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $24,300 in student loans.
See the full physical education program report for Saint Marys College Of California
Eastern Washington University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. Eastern Washington University awarded about 19 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Eastern Washington University earn around $47,144 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from Eastern Washington University
California State University Monterey Bay placed #14 among the best physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. About 145 physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $29,929 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
Get the full physical education details for California State University Monterey Bay
California State University San Bernardino placed #15 among the best physical education schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. California State University San Bernardino awarded about 258 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $29,143 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
See the full physical education program report for California State University San Bernardino
San Francisco State University earned the #16 position for physical education this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. San Francisco State University awarded about 156 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from San Francisco State University earn around $26,176 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical education details for San Francisco State University
California State University Northridge ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 351 physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $36,457 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full physical education program report for California State University Northridge
California State University Fullerton ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. California State University Fullerton graduates 70% of students within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 633 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $14,481 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from California State University Fullerton
Gonzaga University earned the #19 position for physical education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Spokane. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gonzaga University awarded about 19 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $40,897 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical education from Gonzaga University
Shasta College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Redding. About 163 physical education degrees were awarded at Shasta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $50,330 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,275.
See the full physical education program report for Shasta College
California State University Los Angeles came in at #21 for physical education this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. California State University Los Angeles awarded about 212 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $28,687 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
Read more about the physical education program at California State University Los Angeles
Fresno Pacific University came in at #22 for physical education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fresno. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 12 physical education degrees were awarded at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $60,890 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical education details for Fresno Pacific University
Cabrillo College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Aptos. There were roughly 183 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Cabrillo College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Cabrillo College generally make around $38,985. Cabrillo College graduates carry a median of $8,864 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from Cabrillo College
California State University Chico came in at #24 for physical education this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 77 physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $28,236 in their early career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $21,315 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from California State University Chico
California State University Stanislaus came in at #25 for physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 24 physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Stanislaus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $25,414. California State University Stanislaus graduates carry a median of $17,085 in student loans.
Read more about the physical education program at California State University Stanislaus
Rest of the Top 48 Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong physical education education:
Narrow Physical Education Schools by State
More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 126 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
