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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the early-career earnings of their health and physical education graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Kansas Wesleyan University the top school for health and physical education graduate earnings in Kansas. Located 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.
Baker University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Baker University typically earn about $50,261 annually.
Southwestern College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in health and physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Southwestern College typically earn about $49,923 annually.
University Of Kansas came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. University Of Kansas is a public school located in the city of Lawrence. Health And Physical Education graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of about $73,613 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Midamerica Nazarene University earned it the #5 place for health and physical education. 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.
Pittsburg State University landed the #6 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Pittsburg State University typically earn about $45,590 annually.
Wichita State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a public institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of about $50,609 a year early in their careers.
Sterling College Kansas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Sterling College Kansas is a private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sterling. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Sterling College Kansas typically earn about $47,223 annually.
Ottawa University Ottawa earned the #9 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Ottawa, Ottawa University Ottawa is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Ottawa University Ottawa earn a median of about $45,345 a year early in their careers.
Washburn University came in at #10 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Washburn University typically earn about $48,649 annually.
University Of Saint Mary landed the #11 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. University Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Leavenworth. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Saint Mary make a median of around $29,151 per year.
Bethany College Kansas ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Lindsborg, Bethany College Kansas is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Bethany College Kansas typically earn about $28,881 annually.
Friends University landed the #13 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Friends University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Friends University make a median of around $24,870 per 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 · 13 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.