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2025 Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools

533 Colleges in the United States
48,846 Bachelor's Degrees
$31,043 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.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 533 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health & physical education students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 48,846 bachelor's degrees in health & physical education to qualified students.

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 quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a combination of various 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 complete 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

Learn about 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
263 Annual Graduates
$43,506 Median Starting Salary
$51,876 Median Student Debt

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

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor receive $12,463 more than the average phys ed grad.

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

2
453 Annual Graduates
$37,044 Median Starting Salary
$35,116 Median Student Debt

Every 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 midsize city of College Station.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station earn a boost of around $6,001 over the typical earnings of health & physical education majors.

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

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
511 Annual Graduates
$31,998 Median Starting Salary
$26,495 Median Student Debt

University of Iowa is a good choice for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in health & physical education. Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population.

After graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients usually make about $31,998 at the beginning of their careers.

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

4
290 Annual Graduates
$35,583 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

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

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education major at The University of Texas at Austin get $4,540 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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

5
391 Annual Graduates
$35,873 Median Starting Salary
$34,154 Median Student Debt

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

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from Indiana University - Bloomington make $4,830 more than the standard phys ed student.

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

6
174 Annual Graduates
$36,592 Median Starting Salary
$27,480 Median Student Debt

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

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Ohio State University - Main Campus earn a boost of about $5,549 above the average income of health & physical education graduates.

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

7
260 Annual Graduates
$40,486 Median Starting Salary
$50,620 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 degree program at Miami University - Oxford make $9,443 above the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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

8

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

Soon after graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients typically make about $29,866 in their early careers.

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

9
336 Annual Graduates
$32,651 Median Starting Salary
$36,969 Median Student Debt

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

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program report average early career wages of $32,651.

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

10
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
213 Annual Graduates
$29,322 Median Starting Salary
$49,700 Median Student Debt

Temple is a very large public university located in the large city of Philadelphia.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $29,322 in their early career salary.

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

11
369 Annual Graduates
$28,820 Median Starting Salary
$46,900 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick 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 $28,820.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

12
292 Annual Graduates
$33,108 Median Starting Salary
$23,654 Median Student Debt

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Athens.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education major at University of Georgia get $2,065 above the typical college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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

13
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
147 Annual Graduates
$34,821 Median Starting Salary
$80,196 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's recipients from the health & physical education major at Syracuse University earn $3,778 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

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

14
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
256 Annual Graduates
$35,955 Median Starting Salary
$31,724 Median Student Debt

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

Those health & physical education students who get their bachelor's degree from James Madison University earn $4,912 more than the average phys ed grad.

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

15
346 Annual Graduates
$31,165 Median Starting Salary
$37,573 Median Student Debt

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

Soon after graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients typically make an average of $31,165 in their early careers.

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

16
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, NY
236 Annual Graduates
$28,289 Median Starting Salary
$28,134 Median Student Debt

Located in the town of Cortland, SUNY Cortland is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

After graduation, phys ed bachelor's recipients typically make an average of $28,289 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from SUNY Cortland

17
166 Annual Graduates
$31,187 Median Starting Salary
$39,899 Median Student Debt

UIUC is a fairly large public university located in the small city of Champaign.

Soon after graduation, phys ed bachelor's recipients usually earn around $31,187 in their early careers.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

18
204 Annual Graduates
$31,403 Median Starting Salary
$39,164 Median Student Debt

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

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the phys ed program make about $31,403 in the first couple years of working.

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

19
77 Annual Graduates
$36,050 Median Starting Salary
$37,270 Median Student Debt

UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities get an earnings boost of around $5,007 above the typical income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

20
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
312 Annual Graduates
$28,045 Median Starting Salary
$46,124 Median Student Debt

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

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn around $28,045 for their early career.

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

21
Carroll U crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
111 Annual Graduates
$33,333 Median Starting Salary
$33,421 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Waukesha, Carroll U is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population.

Health & Physical Education bachelor's degree recipients from Carroll University get an earnings boost of around $2,290 over the typical income of health & physical education majors.

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

22
210 Annual Graduates
$26,555 Median Starting Salary
$52,440 Median Student Debt

Located in the large suburb of Newark, UD is a public university with a very large student population.

Soon after graduating, phys ed bachelor's recipients typically earn about $26,555 at the beginning of their careers.

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

23
358 Annual Graduates
$27,374 Median Starting Salary
$36,353 Median Student Debt

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

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the phys ed program report average early career earnings of $27,374.

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

24
SLU crest
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO
99 Annual Graduates
$45,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Saint Louis, SLU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in health & physical education from Saint Louis University

25
406 Annual Graduates
$26,327 Median Starting Salary
$26,687 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $26,327 in their early career salary.

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

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

26
27
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
28
29
30
31
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
32

33

34
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
35
36
37
37
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
38
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
39
40
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

41

42
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
42
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
43
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
44
45
46
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
47
48

Additional Award Winners

This section shows the remainder of the colleges awarded a Best Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Schools badge. Showing in this list means the college was ranked in the top 15% of the 533 different United States health & physical education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
48 Endicott College Beverly, MA
49 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
49 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
50 University of Houston Houston, TX
51 University of Mississippi University, MS
52 California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA
53 Elon University Elon, NC
54 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
55 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
56 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
57 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
58 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
59 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
60 Appalachian State University Boone, NC
61 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
62 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
63 Canisius College Buffalo, NY
63 Springfield College Springfield, MA
64 Plymouth State University Plymouth, NH
65 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
66 University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA
67 Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC
68 East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PA
69 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
70 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
71 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
72 Concordia University, Chicago River Forest, IL
73 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
74 Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX
75 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
76 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
77 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
78 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
79 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA

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
75 West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA
80 University of North Texas Denton, TX
81 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
82 Grand View University Des Moines, IA
83 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
84 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
85 California State University - Fullerton Fullerton, CA
86 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
87 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
88 East Tennessee State University Johnson City, TN
89 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona, CA
90 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
91 Baylor University Waco, TX
92 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
93 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
94 Winona State University Winona, MN
95 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY
96 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
97 Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH
98 East Carolina University Greenville, NC
99 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
100 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
101 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
102 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX
103 North Central College Naperville, IL
104 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
105 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
106 California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA

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 26,537
Sports Management 11,254
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 9,537
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 951
Sports Studies 358
Physical Fitness Technician 209

Related Major Annual Graduates
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 2,310
Recreation Administration 2,175
Outdoor Education 179
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 162

Notes and References

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