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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Health & Physical Education

1,311 Ranked Colleges
67,146 Degrees Awarded
$28,800 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major” ranking.

Health & Physical Education is the 11th most popular major in the country with 67,146 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, health and physical education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,386 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major” ranking looked at 1,311 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in health and physical education. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in health and physical education.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Health & Physical Education Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Phys Ed Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major”.

1
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Public University System. The school came in at #1 for the Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 683 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at American Military University

2
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 622 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Iowa

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fullerton. The school came in at #3 for the Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major. Cal State Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 581 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - Fullerton Health & Physical Education Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Texas A&M College Station is located in College Station, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 566 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Texas A&M College Station

5
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Memphis. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 545 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at University of Memphis

6
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Texas State is a large public school situated in San Marcos, Texas. It awarded 536 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Texas State University

7

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking, coming in at #7. UTSA is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 506 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at UTSA

8
Mt. SAC crest
Mt. San Antonio College
Walnut, California

With a ranking of #8, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. This large school is located in Walnut, California, and it awarded 516 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Mt. SAC

9

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 494 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at CSUN

10
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 490 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UH Health & Physical Education Report

11

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #11 on this year’s Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 472 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Indiana University - Bloomington

12
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking. Rutgers New Brunswick is a large school located in New Brunswick, New Jersey that handed out 456 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Rutgers New Brunswick Health & Physical Education Report

13

Concordia University, Irvine landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking. This small school is located in Irvine, California, and it awarded 438 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Concordia University, Irvine

14
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago ranked #14 on this year’s Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 429 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Concordia University, Chicago

15
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 422 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at SDSU

16
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 419 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Michigan State University

17

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #17 on this year’s Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 414 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at UT Knoxville

18

With a ranking of #18, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 401 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

19

California State University - Long Beach ranked #19 on this year’s Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 400 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at California State University - Long Beach

20

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 394 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Health & Physical Education Report

21
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #21, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 392 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

Full Liberty University Health & Physical Education Report

22
College of the Canyons crest
College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita, California

College of the Canyons landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking. Located in Santa Clarita, California, this fairly large public school awarded 371 degrees to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at College of the Canyons

23

California University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking, coming in at #23. California University of Pennsylvania is located in California, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 372 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

Full California University of Pennsylvania Health & Physical Education Report

24

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #24 on this year’s Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major list. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 373 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at ASU - Tempe

25
GaSou crest
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major ranking, coming in at #25. GaSou is a large public school situated in Statesboro, Georgia. It awarded 346 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Georgia Southern University

Rest of the Best 50 in Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
28
28
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia
30
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, New York
31
32
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi
33
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
34
35
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
36
37
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
38
Tarleton crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas
39
39
41
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
42
43
44
UofL crest
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
44
46
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
47
47
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona
49
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
50
Coastal Carolina University crest
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended Phys Ed Major

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
51The University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX
52Towson UniversityTowson, MD
52Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA
54San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA
55Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC
56Ohio State University - Main CampusColumbus, OH
57Colorado State University - Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO
58Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR
58University of Maryland - College ParkCollege Park, MD
60University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC
61West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV
62San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA
63California State University - ChicoChico, CA
64University of KansasLawrence, KS
64University of Wisconsin - La CrosseLa Crosse, WI
RankCollegeLocation
64Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA
67University of FloridaGainesville, FL
68Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH
69West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA
70The University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX
71California State University - East BayHayward, CA
72The University of Tennessee - ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN
73Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
74University of North GeorgiaDahlonega, GA
75California State University - San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA
76California State Polytechnic University - PomonaPomona, CA
77University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR
78University of MississippiUniversity, MS
79Concordia University, Saint PaulSaint Paul, MN
80Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL
81University of DelawareNewark, DE
82University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS
83California State University - San MarcosSan Marcos, CA
84Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville, TN
85University of North Carolina at WilmingtonWilmington, NC
86Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityDurant, OK
87Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA
88Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX
89University of Northern ColoradoGreeley, CO
89University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL
RankCollegeLocation
91University of Oklahoma Norman CampusNorman, OK
92The College at BrockportBrockport, NY
93Riverside City CollegeRiverside, CA
94University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI
95East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City, TN
96California State University - Dominguez HillsCarson, CA
97Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN
98Texas Woman’s UniversityDenton, TX
99Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX
100Brigham Young University - ProvoProvo, UT
100Bowling Green State University - Main CampusBowling Green, OH
102Washington State UniversityPullman, WA
102Cabrillo CollegeAptos, CA
104University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
105California State University - Monterey BaySeaside, CA
106University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
107North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboro, NC
108Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY
108Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC
110Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN
110Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, CO
110East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC
113The University of West FloridaPensacola, FL
113Baylor UniversityWaco, TX
115University of Wisconsin - MadisonMadison, WI
RankCollegeLocation
115Bryan UniversityTempe, AZ
117Texas A&M University - Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TX
117University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, MA
119University of Massachusetts - BostonBoston, MA
120University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH
121University of IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN
122Southeastern Louisiana UniversityHammond, LA
122Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL
124Keiser University - Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL
125Utah Valley UniversityOrem, UT
126St John’s University - New YorkQueens, NY
126Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
126Texas A&M University - CommerceCommerce, TX
129Utah State UniversityLogan, UT
129Purdue University - Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN
131Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL
132Minnesota State University - MankatoMankato, MN
132California State University - BakersfieldBakersfield, CA
132Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ
135University of Central ArkansasConway, AR
136William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA
137University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC
137East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA
139Angelo State UniversitySan Angelo, TX
140Missouri State University - SpringfieldSpringfield, MO
RankCollegeLocation
140Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MO
140Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY
143Springfield CollegeSpringfield, MA
144Montclair State UniversityMontclair, NJ
144Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA
144Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO
147Kent State University at KentKent, OH
147University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke, NC
147University of Virginia - Main CampusCharlottesville, VA
150Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX
150The University of Texas at TylerTyler, TX
152Canisius CollegeBuffalo, NY
152Wingate UniversityWingate, NC
154Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI
154North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC
154Indiana University - Purdue University - IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN
157Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, CO
157University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN
157International Sports Sciences AssociationCarpinteria, CA
157George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA
157University of ToledoToledo, OH
162Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main CampusIndiana, PA
162Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY
164Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD
164Carroll UniversityWaukesha, WI
RankCollegeLocation
164Troy UniversityTroy, AL
167Tennessee Technological UniversityCookeville, TN
167University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO
167University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI
167California Polytechnic State University - San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA
171Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX
171California State University - StanislausTurlock, CA
171William Paterson University of New JerseyWayne, NJ
174Winston - Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC
174Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX
176Rice UniversityHouston, TX
177Pasadena City CollegePasadena, CA
177Southern Utah UniversityCedar City, UT
179Endicott CollegeBeverly, MA
179Lock Haven UniversityLock Haven, PA
181University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL
182Humboldt State UniversityArcata, CA
182Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
184University of WyomingLaramie, WY
185Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC
186Oklahoma State University - Main CampusStillwater, OK
186Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL
186Logan UniversityChesterfield, MO
186Boise State UniversityBoise, ID
186University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe, LA
RankCollegeLocation
191The University of Tennessee - MartinMartin, TN
191Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI
193Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY
194Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondale, IL
194Truman State UniversityKirksville, MO
196Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville, GA
196Monroe CollegeBronx, NY
196Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA
196Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA
196Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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