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2026 Best Health & Physical Education Master’s Degree Schools

193 Colleges in the United States
12,105 Health & Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$42,603 Avg Early-Career Salary

Health & Physical Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 1421 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health & physical education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in the United States

Below are the best health & physical education schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Health & Physical Education

1

No school ranked higher than Northwestern University this year for health & physical education. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 46 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $58,537 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. See the full health & physical education program report for Northwestern University

2
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Students looking for a strong health & physical education program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 139 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $54,668 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. Get the full health & physical education details for Georgetown University

3
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for a strong health & physical education program will find one at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 136 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $50,375. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Florida

4

George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health & physical education, ranking #4. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 32 health & physical education degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $73,749. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. More information about a degree in health & physical education from George Washington University

5

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,050 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

6

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #6 position for health & physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 78 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $41,473 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #7 for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $63,418. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. See the full health & physical education program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

8

San Jose State University earned the #8 position for health & physical education this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. San Jose State University awarded about 20 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in health & physical education from San Jose State University

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 13 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $31,187 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,425 in student loans. More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

10

Texas A And M University College Station placed #10 among the best health & physical education schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 73 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $47,672 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,414 in student loans. See the full health & physical education program report for Texas A And M University College Station

11

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for health & physical education this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 133 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $29,866 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full health & physical education program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

12

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #12 position for health & physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 327 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $47,637 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete this degree. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

13
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College came in at #13 for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 50 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Boston College earn a median of $51,092 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for Boston College

14

University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #14 position for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 24 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn around $36,419 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans. More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

15

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #15 for health & physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 16 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $54,185 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

16
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 122 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $39,740 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. See the full health & physical education program report for Florida State University

17

California State University Long Beach earned the #17 position for health & physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 86 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $49,357 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for California State University Long Beach

18

Loyola University Chicago earned the #18 position for health & physical education this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 15 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for Loyola University Chicago

19

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #19 position for health & physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 211 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $47,682 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. See the full health & physical education program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

20

The University Of Alabama earned the #20 position for health & physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The University Of Alabama awarded about 19 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for The University Of Alabama

21

Northeastern University Global Network placed #21 among the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University Global Network is a large private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 35 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University Global Network in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Northeastern University Global Network generally make around $53,373. Typical student debt for the program is $27,055. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Northeastern University Global Network

22

Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #22 among the best health & physical education schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

23
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 79 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Merrimack College in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Merrimack College earn around $50,506 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,913. See the full health & physical education program report for Merrimack College

24
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco landed the #24 spot for health & physical education this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 121 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $46,187 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,905 to complete this degree. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of San Francisco

25

University Of Connecticut ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 77 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Connecticut earn around $48,822 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for University Of Connecticut

Rest of the Top 50 Health & Physical Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education ranking:

26
27
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
28
29
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
37
38
39
40
41
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Additional Health & Physical Education Award Winners

These schools also stood out for health & physical education:

Rank School Location
#52 Concordia University Irvine Irvine, CA
#53 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
#54 Saint Marys College Of California Moraga, CA
#60 University Of Iowa Iowa City, IA
#61 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
#62 Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, IN
#73 Miami University Oxford Oxford, OH
#78 Minnesota State University Mankato Mankato, MN
#89 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
#92 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
#112 Canisius College Buffalo, NY
#137 Concordia University Chicago River Forest, IL
#138 Arkansas State University Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
#139 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
#142 Ball State University Muncie, IN

Honorable Mentions

A few more health & physical education schools worth a look:

Other Health & Physical Education Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Health & Physical Education rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Health & Physical Education
Associate's Degrees in Health & Physical Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Health & Physical Education
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 1421 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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