2026 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in California
Health & Physical Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 167 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health & physical education students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall health & physical education education in California.
Top Schools in Health & Physical Education
Our analysis ranked San Jose State University the best school in the country for a degree in health & physical education. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 281 health & physical education degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
See the full health & physical education program report for San Jose State University
California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 193 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $28,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health & physical education, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. About 76 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $30,472. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
California State University Sacramento is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health & physical education, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 301 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $31,901 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,129.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University Sacramento
A rank of #5 makes Pepperdine University one of the top schools for health & physical education. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $34,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,336 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Pepperdine University
University Of San Francisco landed the #6 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 121 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $36,342 early in their careers. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $24,905 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for University Of San Francisco
California State University Long Beach ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 336 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $35,753 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at California State University Long Beach
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #8 for health & physical education this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 74 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $49,053 early in their careers. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for Point Loma Nazarene University
University Of The Pacific ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full health & physical education details for University Of The Pacific
University Of La Verne placed #10 among the best health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. About 68 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of La Verne in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314.
Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of La Verne
San Diego State University landed the #11 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 413 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $26,327. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
See the full health & physical education program report for San Diego State University
California State University Fresno ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 321 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $26,931 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,314.
Get the full health & physical education details for California State University Fresno
California State University East Bay earned the #13 position for health & physical education this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 135 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $33,189. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for California State University East Bay
Sonoma State University came in at #14 for health & physical education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 95 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Sonoma State University earn around $33,022 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,628 to complete this degree.
Get the full health & physical education details for Sonoma State University
Saint Marys College Of California earned the #15 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 54 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $49,447 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,300 to complete this degree.
Get the full health & physical education details for Saint Marys College Of California
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #16 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 145 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $29,929 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750.
Get the full health & physical education details for California State University Monterey Bay
California State University San Bernardino landed the #17 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 258 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $29,143 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University San Bernardino
San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 156 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from San Francisco State University earn around $26,176 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for San Francisco State University
California Lutheran University landed the #19 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California Lutheran University in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from California Lutheran University earn around $33,818 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full health & physical education program report for California Lutheran University
California State University Northridge came in at #20 for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 351 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $36,457 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at California State University Northridge
California State University Fullerton landed the #21 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 633 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $28,342 in their early career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $14,481 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at California State University Fullerton
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 50 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
Get the full health & physical education details for Santa Rosa Junior College
Shasta College placed #23 among the best health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. About 170 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Shasta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $50,330 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Shasta College
Concordia University Irvine earned the #24 position for health & physical education this year. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 287 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $43,152. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full health & physical education details for Concordia University Irvine
California State University Los Angeles landed the #25 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 241 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $28,687 early in their careers. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University Los Angeles
Rest of the Top 50 Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also placed among the best for health & physical education this year:
Honorable Mentions
Also worth considering for health & physical education:
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 167 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
