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 12 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.
Samford University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid health and physical education graduates in Alabama. Set in the suburb of Birmingham, Samford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Samford University make a median of around $49,586 per year.
United States Sports Academy came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the city of Daphne, United States Sports Academy 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 $56,183.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Auburn University At Montgomery, which ranked #3. Auburn University At Montgomery is a public school located in the city of Montgomery. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Auburn University At Montgomery make a median of around $53,826 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Troy University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Troy University earn a median of about $50,557 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at University Of Montevallo, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,166.
Huntingdon College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Montgomery, Huntingdon College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Huntingdon College typically earn about $43,319 annually.
University Of North Alabama landed the #7 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. University Of North Alabama is a public school located in the city of Florence. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of North Alabama make a median of around $29,714 per year.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville earned the #8 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a public school located in the city of Huntsville. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Alabama At Huntsville make a median of around $27,788 per year.
University Of Mobile earned the #9 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. University Of Mobile is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mobile. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $26,785.
Faulkner University came in at #10 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Faulkner University earn a median of about $25,710 a year early in their careers.
University Of South Alabama landed the #11 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. University Of South Alabama is a public school located in the city of Mobile. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of about $34,565 a year early in their careers.
Alabama A And M University landed the #12 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Alabama A And M University typically earn about $27,568 annually.
This list is compiled 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 · 12 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.