by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health And Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the early-career earnings of their health and physical education graduates.
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Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in health and physical education, no school beat Depauw University this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Depauw University make a median of around $65,572 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Taylor University, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Taylor University earn a median of about $51,606 a year early in their careers.
Valparaiso University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in health and physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso 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 $58,510.
University Of Indianapolis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Indianapolis make a median of around $59,965 per year.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Evansville one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Evansville earn a median of about $63,846 a year early in their careers.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #6 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington typically earn about $61,846 annually.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis typically earn about $53,887 annually.
Ball State University landed the #8 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $54,684.
University Of Southern Indiana placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. University Of Southern Indiana is a public school located in the suburb of Evansville. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana typically earn about $52,582 annually.
Anderson University Indiana landed the #10 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Anderson University Indiana earn a median of about $49,520 a year early in their careers.
Hanover College landed the #11 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the town of Hanover, Hanover College 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 $47,586.
Marian University Indiana placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Marian University Indiana typically earn about $48,687 annually.
Manchester College landed the #13 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the town of North Manchester, Manchester College is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Manchester College earn a median of about $50,633 a year early in their careers.
Trine University landed the #14 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Trine University make a median of around $55,239 per year.
Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Indiana Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University typically earn about $36,739 annually.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,842.
Indiana State University came in at #17 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Indiana State University make a median of around $41,169 per year.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #18 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka typically earn about $26,799 annually.
Franklin College came in at #19 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Franklin College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. Health And Physical Education graduates of Franklin College earn a median of about $24,181 a year early in their careers.
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 · 19 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.