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 18 schools on the early-career earnings of their health and physical education graduates.
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If you want to know which schools send health and physical education graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in health and physical education, no school beat Emory University this year. Emory University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Emory University make a median of around $81,404 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Lagrange College, which ranked #2. Lagrange College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lagrange. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Lagrange College typically earn about $53,191 annually.
Emmanuel College Georgia produces some of the highest-paid graduates in health and physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Franklin Springs, Emmanuel College Georgia is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Emmanuel College Georgia earn a median of about $48,431 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at University Of Georgia, which ranked #4. University Of Georgia is a public school located in the city of Athens. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,397.
Georgia College And State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,291.
Clayton State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of about $41,771 a year early in their careers.
Georgia Southern University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Georgia Southern University make a median of around $58,072 per year.
Kennesaw State University came in at #8 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of about $51,863 a year early in their careers.
Augusta University landed the #9 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,789.
University Of North Georgia came in at #10 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of North Georgia make a median of around $36,740 per year.
Berry College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Berry College is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Berry College typically earn about $54,009 annually.
Valdosta State University landed the #12 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Valdosta State University is a public school located in the city of Valdosta. Health And Physical Education graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of about $54,862 a year early in their careers.
Shorter University earned the #13 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Rome, Shorter 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 $50,900.
Columbus State University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Columbus State University is a public school located in the city of Columbus. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Columbus State University make a median of around $41,704 per year.
Georgia Southwestern State University came in at #15 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Georgia Southwestern State University typically earn about $32,709 annually.
Reinhardt University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Waleska, Reinhardt University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Reinhardt University typically earn about $31,900 annually.
Atlanta Christian College landed the #17 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the town of West Point, Atlanta Christian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Atlanta Christian College make a median of around $28,245 per year.
Morehouse College earned the #18 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Morehouse College is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Morehouse College earn a median of about $26,158 a year early in their careers.
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 · 18 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.