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:
Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
Augustana College South Dakota tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools in South Dakota. Augustana College South Dakota is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Health And Physical Education graduates of Augustana College South Dakota earn a median of about $55,718 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at Dakota State University earned it the #2 place for health and physical education. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a public institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Dakota State University typically earn about $50,240 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at South Dakota State University earned it the #3 place for health and physical education. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from South Dakota State University make a median of around $53,427 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at University Of Sioux Falls, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls typically earn about $57,021 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Black Hills State University earned it the #5 place for health and physical education. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Black Hills State University make a median of around $45,938 per year.
Northern State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Northern State University is a public school located in the town of Aberdeen. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Northern State University typically earn about $53,946 annually.
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 · 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.