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 8 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.
For graduate earnings in health and physical education, no school beat Metropolitan State College Of Denver this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,799.
Colorado State University Fort Collins produces some of the highest-paid graduates in health and physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,064.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado typically earn about $54,684 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Colorado State University Pueblo, which ranked #4. Colorado State University Pueblo is a public school located in the city of Pueblo. Health And Physical Education graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of about $48,566 a year early in their careers.
Mesa State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of about $49,140 a year early in their careers.
Adams State College landed the #6 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,372.
Western State College Of Colorado ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of about $54,285 a year early in their careers.
Fort Lewis College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,128.
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 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.