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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 65 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.
Cumberland University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools in the Southeast Region. 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.
Strong graduate earnings at American Public University System earned it the #2 place for health and physical education. American Public University System is a private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from American Public University System typically earn about $65,913 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Virginia Main Campus earned it the #3 place for health and physical education. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus typically earn about $68,548 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Northwestern State University Of Louisiana, which ranked #4. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,583.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Florida make a median of around $69,717 per year.
University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Central Florida make a median of around $73,025 per year.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of South Florida Main Campus make a median of around $86,804 per year.
Auburn University At Montgomery came in at #8 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Auburn University At Montgomery is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery typically earn about $54,013 annually.
United States Sports Academy ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Daphne, United States Sports Academy is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from United States Sports Academy typically earn about $56,183 annually.
Troy University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Troy University is a public school located in the town of Troy. Health And Physical Education graduates of Troy University earn a median of about $55,112 a year early in their careers.
Georgia Southern University landed the #11 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,590.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #12 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Virginia Commonwealth University make a median of around $63,448 per year.
James Madison University earned the #13 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Early-career health and physical education graduates from James Madison University make a median of around $62,817 per year.
Mcneese State University landed the #14 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the city of Lake Charles, Mcneese State University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Mcneese State University earn a median of about $56,410 a year early in their careers.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina came in at #15 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public school located in the city of Charleston. Health And Physical Education graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of about $62,844 a year early in their careers.
Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,236.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #17 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Florida Atlantic University make a median of around $50,594 per year.
University Of Memphis ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Memphis make a median of around $67,415 per year.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #19 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. The University Of Tennessee is a public school located in the city of Knoxville. Early-career health and physical education graduates from The University Of Tennessee make a median of around $61,150 per year.
Georgia State University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Georgia State University typically earn about $57,002 annually.
Western Carolina University landed the #21 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Western Carolina University make a median of around $49,923 per year.
East Carolina University came in at #22 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from East Carolina University make a median of around $52,944 per year.
University Of Kentucky earned the #23 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. University Of Kentucky is a public school located in the city of Lexington. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Kentucky typically earn about $56,391 annually.
University Of Louisville came in at #24 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,159.
Tennessee Technological University came in at #25 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Tennessee Technological University is a public school located in the town of Cookeville. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Tennessee Technological University make a median of around $50,780 per year.
Not far behind, these schools also produced high-earning health and physical education graduates:
This ranking is produced 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 · 65 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.