2027 Best Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region
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.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 54 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for physical education students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Physical Education in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical education education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Physical Education
Emory University tops our 2027 ranking of the best physical education schools. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 66 physical education degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $37,974 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,883 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical education from Emory University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical education, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 294 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $39,401 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans.
See the full physical education program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Students looking for a strong physical education program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 141 physical education degrees 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.
Get the full physical education details for James Madison University
University Of Georgia came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $36,359 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical education details for University Of Georgia
College Of William And Mary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 110 physical education degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $27,114. Students borrow a median of $21,413 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical education from College Of William And Mary
University Of Louisville landed the #6 spot for physical education this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 81 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $36,995. Typical student debt for the program is $22,053.
More information about a degree in physical education from University Of Louisville
West Virginia University landed the #7 spot for physical education this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. About 64% of students finish within six years. West Virginia University awarded about 147 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full physical education program report for West Virginia University
Tennessee Technological University landed the #8 spot for physical education this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 100 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $40,255. Tennessee Technological University graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans.
Read more about the physical education program at Tennessee Technological University
Meredith College came in at #9 for physical education this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 physical education degrees were awarded at Meredith College in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $38,525 early in their careers. Meredith College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the physical education program at Meredith College
Thomas More College earned the #10 position for physical education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Crestview Hills. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Thomas More College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Thomas More College earn around $57,440 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,608 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical education program at Thomas More College
American Public University System landed the #11 spot for physical education this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. American Public University System awarded about 96 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $55,491 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,312.
Read more about the physical education program at American Public University System
The University Of West Florida ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 43 physical education degrees were awarded at The University Of West Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from The University Of West Florida earn around $28,643 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete this degree.
Read more about the physical education program at The University Of West Florida
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #13 spot for physical education this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern Mississippi awarded about 28 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $41,034 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete this degree.
See the full physical education program report for University Of Southern Mississippi
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #14 for physical education this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 16 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical education from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Liberty University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $35,930. Typical student debt for the program is $25,645.
Read more about the physical education program at Liberty University
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #16 position for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $36,462. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full physical education details for Middle Tennessee State University
University Of The Cumberlands placed #17 among the best physical education schools. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of The Cumberlands graduates 50% of students within six years. University Of The Cumberlands awarded about 127 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of The Cumberlands earn around $31,401 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,630 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in physical education from University Of The Cumberlands
Freed Hardeman University came in at #18 for physical education this year. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 physical education degrees were awarded at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $54,530 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,479.
See the full physical education program report for Freed Hardeman University
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #19 position for physical education this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 81 physical education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $30,587 early in their careers. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans.
Get the full physical education details for The University Of Tennessee Martin
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #20 among the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $34,219. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the physical education program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
East Tennessee State University landed the #21 spot for physical education this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 67 physical education students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,043 early in their careers. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans.
Get the full physical education details for East Tennessee State University
Milligan College landed the #22 spot for physical education this year. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 15 physical education degrees were awarded at Milligan College in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of Milligan College earn a median of $64,327 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,601.
Read more about the physical education program at Milligan College
University Of Arkansas At Monticello landed the #23 spot for physical education this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates 38% of students within six years. About 36 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Arkansas At Monticello in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $29,213 in their early career. University Of Arkansas At Monticello graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
Read more about the physical education program at University Of Arkansas At Monticello
Louisiana Tech University came in at #24 for physical education this year. Set in the town of Ruston, Louisiana Tech University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 11 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana Tech University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Louisiana Tech University earn around $31,802 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in physical education from Louisiana Tech University
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana placed #25 among the best physical education schools. Located in the town of Natchitoches, Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 55 physical education degrees were awarded at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $28,009 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
See the full physical education program report for Northwestern State University Of Louisiana
Rest of the Top 50 Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical education ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 54 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.