by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health And Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their health and physical education graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying health and physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of The Pacific earned the #1 spot for highest-paid health and physical education graduates in California. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of The Pacific make a median of around $72,395 per year.
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Health And Physical Education graduates of San Jose State University earn a median of about $69,505 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Pacific Union College, which ranked #3. Pacific Union College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Angwin. Health And Physical Education graduates of Pacific Union College earn a median of about $67,066 a year early in their careers.
International Sports Sciences Association came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Carpinteria, International Sports Sciences Association is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from International Sports Sciences Association typically earn about $46,831 annually.
Vanguard University Of Southern California came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Vanguard University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Vanguard University Of Southern California earn a median of about $55,233 a year early in their careers.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #6 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $52,896 a year early in their careers.
Concordia University Irvine ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,276.
Pepperdine University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of about $78,198 a year early in their careers.
Cabrillo College earned the #9 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Cabrillo College make a median of around $38,985 per year.
Saint Marys College Of California landed the #10 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California typically earn about $63,474 annually.
Citrus College came in at #11 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $42,821.
Ashford University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Ashford University make a median of around $48,277 per year.
University Of San Francisco placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of San Francisco typically earn about $72,839 annually.
Sonoma State University earned the #14 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,799.
California State University East Bay earned the #15 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from California State University East Bay typically earn about $60,234 annually.
California State University Sacramento landed the #16 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,913.
California Lutheran University came in at #17 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from California Lutheran University make a median of around $56,496 per year.
California Baptist University landed the #18 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,534.
San Diego State University earned the #19 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $64,740 a year early in their careers.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a public school located in the suburb of Seaside. Early-career health and physical education graduates from California State University Monterey Bay make a median of around $59,223 per year.
California State University San Marcos landed the #21 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. California State University San Marcos is a public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos typically earn about $63,880 annually.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Early-career health and physical education graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona make a median of around $60,038 per year.
San Francisco State University landed the #23 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. San Francisco State University is a public school located in the city of San Francisco. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from San Francisco State University typically earn about $62,316 annually.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #24 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. California State University San Bernardino is a public school located in the city of San Bernardino. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino typically earn about $56,489 annually.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #25 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. California State University Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $57,102.
These schools also send health and physical education graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries health and physical education graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 46 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
