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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying health and physical education schools.
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Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
Whitworth University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid health and physical education graduates in Washington. Set in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of about $45,506 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Puget Sound one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of about $78,034 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Pacific Lutheran University one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,136.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Washington State University, which ranked #4. Washington State University is a public school located in the town of Pullman. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Washington State University typically earn about $64,225 annually.
Central Washington University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Central Washington University is a public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $43,355.
Western Washington University came in at #6 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Western Washington University is a public school located in the city of Bellingham. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Western Washington University make a median of around $44,144 per year.
Seattle Pacific University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University typically earn about $25,625 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their health and physical education graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 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.