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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their health and physical education graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 18 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.
Coe College tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe 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 $52,220.
A rank of #2 makes Briar Cliff University one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Briar Cliff University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux City. Health And Physical Education graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of about $49,714 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes Wartburg College one of the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Wartburg College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Wartburg College typically earn about $49,328 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Dordt College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Dordt College typically earn about $46,833 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Iowa State University, which ranked #5. Iowa State University is a public school located in the city of Ames. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,453.
Simpson College came in at #6 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Simpson College earn a median of about $55,150 a year early in their careers.
Buena Vista University placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Buena Vista University typically earn about $52,330 annually.
University Of Iowa ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. University Of Iowa is a public school located in the city of Iowa City. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Iowa make a median of around $65,473 per year.
Grand View University came in at #9 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Grand View University make a median of around $55,780 per year.
Loras College came in at #10 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Loras College make a median of around $53,583 per year.
University Of Dubuque earned the #11 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Dubuque make a median of around $44,201 per year.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #12 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,215.
Upper Iowa University placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of about $53,352 a year early in their careers.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University typically earn about $55,506 annually.
Cornell College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Cornell College is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $35,439.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Graceland University Lamoni is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Health And Physical Education graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of about $46,518 a year early in their careers.
Clarke University earned the #17 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Clarke University typically earn about $31,013 annually.
William Penn University came in at #18 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of William Penn University earn a median of about $30,314 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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.