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 21 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 Milligan College the top school for health and physical education graduate earnings in Tennessee. Set in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Milligan College typically earn about $60,534 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Freed Hardeman University earned it the #2 place for health and physical education. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University typically earn about $55,118 annually.
Cumberland University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Cumberland University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Cumberland University typically earn about $62,795 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Tennessee Wesleyan College earned it the #4 place for health and physical education. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College typically earn about $48,562 annually.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Tennessee one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee typically earn about $61,280 annually.
University Of Memphis landed the #6 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Memphis make a median of around $51,350 per year.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University typically earn about $49,482 annually.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #8 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Health And Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of about $51,418 a year early in their careers.
Tennessee Technological University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University typically earn about $45,640 annually.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #10 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a public school located in the town of Martin. Health And Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of about $46,875 a year early in their careers.
Belmont University landed the #11 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Belmont University typically earn about $45,600 annually.
Austin Peay State University landed the #12 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Austin Peay State University make a median of around $43,958 per year.
Carson Newman College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Jefferson City, Carson Newman College 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 $48,549.
East Tennessee State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from East Tennessee State University make a median of around $46,692 per year.
Tennessee State University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of about $39,832 a year early in their careers.
Bethel University Tennessee landed the #16 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Bethel University Tennessee earn a median of about $31,638 a year early in their careers.
Tusculum College came in at #17 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Tusculum College typically earn about $40,094 annually.
Martin Methodist College came in at #18 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Martin Methodist College is a public school located in the town of Pulaski. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Martin Methodist College typically earn about $28,069 annually.
Bryan College Dayton came in at #19 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Bryan College Dayton make a median of around $27,342 per year.
Lincoln Memorial University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of about $26,830 a year early in their careers.
Lee University placed #21 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Lee University earn a median of about $22,135 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 21 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.