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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 100 schools on the early-career earnings of their health and physical education graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Wisconsin Lutheran College the top school for health and physical education graduate earnings in the Great Lakes Region. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Health And Physical Education graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of about $69,604 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Depauw University earned it the #2 place for health and physical education. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw 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 $65,572.
Marian University Wisconsin came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Marian University Wisconsin make a median of around $65,301 per year.
Walsh University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Walsh University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Walsh University make a median of around $64,683 per year.
A rank of #5 makes Michigan Technological University one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Michigan Technological University is a public school located in the town of Houghton. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Michigan Technological University typically earn about $60,932 annually.
Shawnee State University came in at #6 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Shawnee State University is a public school located in the town of Portsmouth. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Shawnee State University typically earn about $58,904 annually.
Trinity International University Illinois ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Deerfield, Trinity International University Illinois 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 $56,076.
Heidelberg University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Heidelberg University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Heidelberg University make a median of around $55,764 per year.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,196.
Taylor University came in at #10 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor 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 $51,606.
University Of Dayton landed the #11 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton 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 $69,228.
Valparaiso University earned the #12 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Health And Physical Education graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of about $58,510 a year early in their careers.
Carroll University earned the #13 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll 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 $73,249.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #14 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $74,221 annually.
Miami University Oxford ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Miami University Oxford is a public school located in the town of Oxford. Health And Physical Education graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of about $60,114 a year early in their careers.
University Of Indianapolis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of about $59,965 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Wisconsin Parkside make a median of around $70,830 per year.
University Of Evansville came in at #18 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Evansville typically earn about $63,846 annually.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school located in the city of Bloomington. Health And Physical Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $61,846 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #20 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,830.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a public school located in the town of Platteville. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville typically earn about $46,027 annually.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus landed the #22 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a public school located in the town of Chillicothe. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus make a median of around $60,673 per year.
Ohio University Eastern Campus placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the rural area of Saint Clairsville, Ohio University Eastern Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,673.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #24 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a public school located in the town of Athens. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus typically earn about $60,673 annually.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a public school located in the town of Zanesville. Health And Physical Education graduates of Ohio University Zanesville Campus earn a median of about $60,673 a year early in their careers.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid health and physical education ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 100 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.