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 81 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.
Leading the list is Saint Louis University Main Campus, our #1 for health and physical education graduate salaries in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Saint Louis University Main Campus make a median of around $77,984 per year.
Rockhurst University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in health and physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst 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 $66,968.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at St Catherine University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from St Catherine University make a median of around $65,125 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Dickinson State University, which ranked #4. Dickinson State University is a public school located in the town of Dickinson. Health And Physical Education graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of about $60,523 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Augustana College South Dakota, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of about $55,718 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Dakota placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of about $54,374 a year early in their careers.
Upper Iowa University landed the #7 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Upper Iowa University typically earn about $53,352 annually.
Kansas Wesleyan University came in at #8 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Salina, Kansas Wesleyan 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 $52,393.
Evangel University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Springfield, Evangel 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 $52,370.
Coe College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Coe College typically earn about $52,220 annually.
University Of Mary ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Mary typically earn about $50,361 annually.
Baker University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Baker University make a median of around $50,261 per year.
Dakota State University came in at #13 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,240.
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead typically earn about $49,992 annually.
Southwestern College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winfield. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,923.
University Of Kansas landed the #16 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,613.
Briar Cliff University landed the #17 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Briar Cliff University make a median of around $49,714 per year.
Midamerica Nazarene University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Midamerica Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Olathe. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University typically earn about $49,338 annually.
Wartburg College came in at #19 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of about $49,328 a year early in their careers.
Culver Stockton College placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Culver Stockton College is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Canton. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Culver Stockton College typically earn about $48,772 annually.
Winona State University earned the #21 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Winona State University make a median of around $58,281 per year.
Dordt College earned the #22 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Dordt College make a median of around $46,833 per year.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #23 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $62,213 a year early in their careers.
Iowa State University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,453.
Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #25 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College typically earn about $57,683 annually.
These schools also send health and physical education graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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 · 81 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.
