by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health And Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their health and physical education graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying health and physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send health and physical education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Columbia University In The City Of New York, our #1 for health and physical education graduate salaries in the United States. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Health And Physical Education graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of about $136,061 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of about $76,067 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Texas At Austin produces some of the highest-paid graduates in health and physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school located in the city of Austin. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin typically earn about $71,971 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Plymouth State University one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,081.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Valparaiso University, which ranked #5. 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 $66,242 a year early in their careers.
Georgetown University landed the #6 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Georgetown University typically earn about $83,320 annually.
Concordia University Irvine landed the #7 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Concordia University Irvine make a median of around $72,096 per year.
California State University Fresno earned the #8 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from California State University Fresno make a median of around $65,040 per year.
Northwestern University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of about $74,476 a year early in their careers.
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #10 position for health and physical education graduate earnings 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 $64,450 annually.
Central Washington University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of about $67,447 a year early in their careers.
Washington State University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Washington State University earn a median of about $63,633 a year early in their careers.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #13 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Hawaii At Manoa make a median of around $63,194 per year.
Cumberland University came in at #14 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Cumberland University typically earn about $62,795 annually.
American Public University System placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,913.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,785.
California State University Chico earned the #17 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from California State University Chico typically earn about $60,432 annually.
Sul Ross State University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Sul Ross State University typically earn about $60,059 annually.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #19 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $68,548 a year early in their careers.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #20 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Health And Physical Education graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of about $59,583 a year early in their careers.
Texas Womans University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of about $65,978 a year early in their careers.
California State University Long Beach earned the #22 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $74,348 a year early in their careers.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of about $63,592 a year early in their careers.
University Of Florida landed the #24 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of about $69,717 a year early in their careers.
American University earned the #25 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from American University make a median of around $58,019 per year.
These schools also send health and physical education graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Explore the highest-paying health and physical education schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.