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 6 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.
Our analysis ranked Citadel Military College Of South Carolina the top school for health and physical education graduate earnings in South Carolina. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a public school located in the city of Charleston. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,844.
Clemson University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Clemson University is a public school located in the suburb of Clemson. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,774.
A rank of #3 makes Coastal Carolina University one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $44,877.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Carolina Columbia one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia typically earn about $58,076 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Coker College earned it the #5 place for health and physical education. Set in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Coker College make a median of around $55,055 per year.
Winthrop University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $40,880.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their health and physical education graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 6 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.