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2027 Best Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

17 Colleges in the United States
583 Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$39,730 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physical education schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Physical Education in the Great Lakes 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

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 ranking of the best physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $42,490 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,135. Read more about the physical education program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

Indiana University Bloomington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical education, ranking #2. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 21 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,640. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from Indiana University Bloomington

3

Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. 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. Physical Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $42,137 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical education program at Ohio State University Main Campus

4

A rank of #4 makes Ohio University Main Campus one of the top schools for physical education. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. Ohio University Main Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 105 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $45,420 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for Ohio University Main Campus

5

Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $37,059 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Read more about the physical education program at Illinois State University

6
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #6 for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Palatine. There were roughly 20 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Harper College in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Harper College graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Read more about the physical education program at Harper College

7
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN

Depauw University earned the #7 position for physical education this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 physical education degrees were awarded at Depauw University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $46,127 in their early career. Depauw University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical education program at Depauw University

8

Northern Illinois University placed #8 among the best physical education schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. Northern Illinois University awarded about 55 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,418. Read more about the physical education program at Northern Illinois University

9
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College placed #9 among the best physical education schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Calvin College awarded about 41 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $26,309 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,833. Get the full physical education details for Calvin College

10
Spring Arbor University crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Spring Arbor University graduates 63% of students within six years. Spring Arbor University awarded about 12 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Spring Arbor University earn around $53,080 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,268 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical education program at Spring Arbor University

11

University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates 61% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Platteville awarded about 31 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $46,027. University Of Wisconsin Platteville graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical education program at University Of Wisconsin Platteville

12
Hanover College crest
Hanover College
Hanover, IN

Hanover College earned the #12 position for physical education this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 10 physical education degrees were awarded at Hanover College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $35,085 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full physical education program report for Hanover College

13

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #13 position for physical education this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates 55% of students within six years. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 51 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $34,811 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,237 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

14

North Park University placed #14 among the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 30 physical education degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from North Park University earn around $30,165 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,495. Get the full physical education details for North Park University

15

Sinclair Community College earned the #15 position for physical education this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 10 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Sinclair Community College in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,525. More information about a degree in physical education from Sinclair Community College

16
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University came in at #16 for physical education this year. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. Quincy University graduates 45% of students within six years. Quincy University awarded about 15 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $46,414 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,691. More information about a degree in physical education from Quincy University

17
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI

Ripon College placed #17 among the best physical education schools. Set in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 physical education degrees were awarded at Ripon College in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $29,768 in their early career. Ripon College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for Ripon College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 17 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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