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2024 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in California

35 Colleges in California
11,027 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$31,463 Avg Early-Career Salary
Health & Physical Education is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #11 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 35 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in California ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 11,027 degrees in health & physical education to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Health & Physical Education School

Best Health & Physical Education Schools in California The phys ed program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Health & Physical Education rankings. For our Best Overall Health & Physical Education School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Health & Physical Education Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Phys Ed
Bachelor's Degrees in Phys Ed
Master's Degrees in Phys Ed

The phys ed school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Health & Physical Education Schools in California. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

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.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in California

The schools below may not offer all types of phys ed degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer.

10 Top California Schools in Phys Ed

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
438 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$42,406 Median Starting Salary

It's difficult to beat Concordia University, Irvine if you want to pursue a degree in health & physical education. Concordia University, Irvine is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Irvine. A Best Colleges rank of #324 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Concordia University, Irvine is a great university overall.

There were about 438 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at Concordia University, Irvine make $10,943 above the typical college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Concordia University, Irvine

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
422 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
6.6% Growth in Graduates

San Diego State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #141 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means SDSU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 422 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at SDSU in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program report average early career wages of $24,520.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from San Diego State University

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
400 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
16.5% Growth in Graduates

Every student pursuing a degree in health & physical education has to check out California State University - Long Beach. Located in the large city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #186 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means CSULB is a great university overall.

There were approximately 400 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent year we have data available. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from California State University - Long Beach receive an earnings boost of around $4,421 above the typical earnings of health & physical education majors.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University - Long Beach

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
250 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$41,176 Median Starting Salary

It is difficult to beat San Jose State University if you want to pursue a degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #161 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means San Jose State is a great university overall.

There were about 250 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at San Jose State University get $9,713 more than the typical college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from San Jose State University

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
280 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
17.1% Growth in Graduates

Cal Baptist is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Riverside. This university ranks 82nd out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 280 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Cal Baptist in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from California Baptist University earn $7,339 more than the typical phys ed grad.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California Baptist University

6
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
153 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
2.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #164 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USFCA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 153 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at USFCA in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the health & physical education program at University of San Francisco earn $7,980 above the standard college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of San Francisco

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
228 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
4.4% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of San Francisco, SFSU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #204 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means SFSU is a great university overall.

There were about 228 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at SFSU in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, phys ed degree recipients usually make around $28,883 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from San Francisco State University

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
108 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
9.3% Growth in Graduates

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a very large public university located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. A Best Colleges rank of #95 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a great university overall.

There were about 108 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn about $29,831 for their early career.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

9
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
581 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$32,033 Median Starting Salary

Cal State Fullerton is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Fullerton. A Best Colleges rank of #252 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Cal State Fullerton is a great university overall.

There were approximately 581 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Cal State Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program report average early career earnings of $32,033.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University - Fullerton

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
304 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$28,931 Median Starting Salary

Sac State is a very large public university located in the city of Sacramento. A Best Colleges rank of #249 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Sac State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 304 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Sac State in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program report average early career income of $28,931.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University - Sacramento

Best Health & Physical Education Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Washington 300 572
Oregon 266 579
Nevada 192 267
Hawaii 164 171
Alaska 119 19

View All Rankings >

Health & Physical Education is one of 4 different types of Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies programs to choose from.

Phys Ed Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 6,581
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 3,185
Sports Management 643
Physical Fitness Technician 527
Sports Studies 82
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 9

View All Phys Ed Focus Areas >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 678
Recreation Administration 67

View All Phys Ed Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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