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.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying health and physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Harding University the top school for health and physical education graduate earnings in Arkansas. Harding University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Harding University make a median of around $63,587 per year.
Arkansas State University Main Campus produces some of the highest-paid graduates in health and physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Arkansas State University Main Campus make a median of around $54,271 per year.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Arkansas At Monticello one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of about $59,367 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Arkansas one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Arkansas typically earn about $56,890 annually.
Ouachita Baptist University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in health and physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Arkadelphia, Ouachita Baptist 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 $51,565.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #6 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of about $50,069 a year early in their careers.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus typically earn about $29,854 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 · 7 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.