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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find where health and physical education graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
Gardner Webb University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools in North Carolina. Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Gardner Webb University make a median of around $54,289 per year.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh typically earn about $73,284 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Queens University Of Charlotte, which ranked #3. Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Queens University Of Charlotte make a median of around $46,964 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,632.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of about $58,954 a year early in their careers.
Campbell University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell 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 $55,307.
Wake Forest University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of about $71,728 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school located in the city of Charlotte. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of about $51,651 a year early in their careers.
Wingate University earned the #9 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Wingate University typically earn about $56,061 annually.
Meredith College earned the #10 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Meredith College earn a median of about $38,525 a year early in their careers.
Elon University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Elon University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,499.
East Carolina University came in at #12 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,285.
Saint Augustines College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Saint Augustines College is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Saint Augustines College make a median of around $37,602 per year.
Guilford College came in at #14 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, Guilford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Guilford College make a median of around $49,235 per year.
Appalachian State University landed the #15 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Appalachian State University is a public school located in the town of Boone. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Appalachian State University typically earn about $54,550 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school located in the city of Greensboro. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro typically earn about $46,389 annually.
Western Carolina University placed #17 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Western Carolina University is a public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Health And Physical Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of about $40,898 a year early in their careers.
Catawba College earned the #18 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Catawba College make a median of around $45,156 per year.
Belmont Abbey College earned the #19 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Belmont Abbey College earn a median of about $43,925 a year early in their careers.
St Andrews Presbyterian College placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Laurinburg, St Andrews Presbyterian College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from St Andrews Presbyterian College make a median of around $40,766 per year.
Lenoir Rhyne University earned the #21 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,797.
North Carolina Central University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of about $44,445 a year early in their careers.
Winston Salem State University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Winston Salem State University is a public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Winston Salem State University typically earn about $44,551 annually.
Chowan University landed the #24 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Chowan University make a median of around $44,843 per year.
Methodist University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist 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 $41,349.
These schools also send health and physical education graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 35 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.