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2024 Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools

508 Colleges in the United States
49,843 Bachelor's Degrees
$28,530 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a bachelor's degree in health & physical education, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #9 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 508 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 49,843 bachelor's degrees in health & physical education during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Health & Physical Education School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools The phys ed bachelor's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

The overall quality of a bachelor's degree school is important to ensure a good education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we consider a college's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for health & physical education students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Health & Physical Education in the United States

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for health & physical education students seeking a a bachelor's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Phys Ed

1
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
104 Annual Graduates
$38,232 Median Starting Salary
$10,000 Median Student Debt

It's hard to beat Rice University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Rice University get an earnings boost of around $9,702 above the average earnings of health & physical education majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Rice University

2
274 Annual Graduates
$36,559 Median Starting Salary
$19,135 Median Student Debt

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a wonderful choice for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education degree program at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor get $8,029 above the standard graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
291 Annual Graduates
$33,497 Median Starting Salary
$22,361 Median Student Debt

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the city of Austin.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at Austin receive $4,967 more than the standard phys ed graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from The University of Texas at Austin

4
474 Annual Graduates
$32,938 Median Starting Salary
$20,414 Median Student Debt

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in health & physical education has to take a look at Texas A&M University - College Station. Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education program at Texas A&M University - College Station get $4,408 above the average graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Texas A&M University - College Station

5
136 Annual Graduates
$27,879 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

UW - Madison is a fairly large public university located in the city of Madison.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program make an average of $27,879 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Wisconsin - Madison

6
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
91 Annual Graduates
$35,286 Median Starting Salary
$19,883 Median Student Debt

Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Atlanta.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from Emory University receive $6,756 more than the standard phys ed grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Emory University

7
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
555 Annual Graduates
$31,109 Median Starting Salary
$24,250 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Iowa receive an earnings boost of about $2,579 over the typical earnings of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Iowa

8
301 Annual Graduates
$32,199 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education major at Miami University - Oxford get $3,669 more than the average college graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Miami University - Oxford

9
442 Annual Graduates
$32,677 Median Starting Salary
$19,657 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a very large student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Indiana University - Bloomington earn a boost of approximately $4,147 above the typical income of health & physical education majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Indiana University - Bloomington

10
192 Annual Graduates
$32,444 Median Starting Salary
$23,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education major at Ohio State University - Main Campus earn $3,914 above the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Ohio State University - Main Campus

11
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
292 Annual Graduates
$33,807 Median Starting Salary
$21,500 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from James Madison University receive $5,277 more than the typical phys ed student.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from James Madison University

12
129 Annual Graduates
$39,519 Median Starting Salary
$26,227 Median Student Debt

UMass Amherst is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Amherst.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn $10,989 more than the standard phys ed student.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Massachusetts Amherst

13
341 Annual Graduates
$31,781 Median Starting Salary
$21,170 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from Arizona State University - Tempe make $3,251 more than the standard phys ed graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Arizona State University - Tempe

14
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
122 Annual Graduates
$32,008 Median Starting Salary
$19,982 Median Student Debt

UF is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Florida earn a boost of around $3,478 over the average income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Florida

15
220 Annual Graduates
$38,046 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of South Carolina - Columbia earn a boost of around $9,516 above the average earnings of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of South Carolina - Columbia

16
473 Annual Graduates
$47,616 Median Starting Salary
$19,312 Median Student Debt

American Military University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the town of Charles Town.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from American Public University System earn $19,086 more than the typical phys ed grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from American Public University System

17
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
300 Annual Graduates
$29,370 Median Starting Salary
$19,500 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduation, phys ed bachelor's recipients usually make about $29,370 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Utah

18
84 Annual Graduates
$45,216 Median Starting Salary
$20,475 Median Student Debt

SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Dallas.

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University make $16,686 more than the average phys ed grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Southern Methodist University

19
386 Annual Graduates
$26,942 Median Starting Salary
$16,575 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $26,942.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

20
244 Annual Graduates
$27,788 Median Starting Salary
$22,250 Median Student Debt

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Athens.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $27,788 in their early career salary.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Georgia

21
28 Annual Graduates
$37,172 Median Starting Salary
$23,125 Median Student Debt

UCONN is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of Storrs.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Connecticut receive an earnings boost of around $8,642 over the typical earnings of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Connecticut

22
233 Annual Graduates
$30,536 Median Starting Salary
$23,138 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Maryland - College Park earn a boost of around $2,006 above the average earnings of health & physical education majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Maryland - College Park

23
352 Annual Graduates
$26,959 Median Starting Salary
$21,500 Median Student Debt

UT Knoxville is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Knoxville.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $26,959 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

24
84 Annual Graduates
$23,250 Median Student Debt

Located in the small suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Virginia - Main Campus

25
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
388 Annual Graduates
$28,154 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

Michigan State is a very large public university located in the city of East Lansing.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $28,154.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Michigan State University

Rest of the Top 50 Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools

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28
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
29
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31
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35
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
36
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38
39
40
41

42

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44
45
46
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
47
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
48
49
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
50

Additional Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 508 different United States health & physical education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Shenandoah University Winchester, VA
52 Ball State University Muncie, IN
53 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
54 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
55 Loras College Dubuque, IA
56 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
57 University of Mississippi University, MS
58 Saint Ambrose University Davenport, IA
59 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
60 Seattle University Seattle, WA
61 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
62 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
63 University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington, NC
64 Concordia University, Chicago River Forest, IL
65 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
66 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
67 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
68 University of Miami Coral Gables, FL
69 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
70 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
71 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
72 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
73 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
74 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
75 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
76 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
77 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
78 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
79 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
80 Winona State University Winona, MN
81 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
82 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
83 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
84 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
84 California Baptist University Riverside, CA
85 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
86 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
87 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
88 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
89 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
90 Springfield College Springfield, MA
91 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
92 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
93 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
94 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
95 University of North Texas Denton, TX
96 University of North Dakota Grand Forks, ND
97 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
98 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
99 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
100 John Carroll University University Heights, OH
101 Ashland University Ashland, OH

Health & Physical Education by Region

View the Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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One of 4 majors within the Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies area of study, Health & Physical Education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Phys Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 27,072
Sports Management 11,130
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 10,243
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 883
Sports Studies 324
Physical Fitness Technician 191

Related Major Annual Graduates
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 2,584
Recreation Administration 2,416
Outdoor Education 169
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 103

Notes and References

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