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2024 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region

152 Colleges in the Southeast Region
17,631 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$30,134 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.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 152 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 17,631 degrees in health & physical education to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Health & Physical Education School

Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region Your choice of health & physical education school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. 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.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Health & Physical Education Rankings by Degree Level

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

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. 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 the Southeast Region

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. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

22 Top Southeast Region Schools in Phys Ed

1
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
91 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
16.5% Growth in Graduates

Emory University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Emory is a great university overall.

There were roughly 91 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Emory University get an earnings boost of around $5,152 above the typical income of health & physical education majors.

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

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
247 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
34.8% Growth in Graduates

University of Florida is a good choice for students interested in a degree in health & physical education. Located in the medium-sized city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were approximately 247 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from University of Florida get an earnings boost of around $8,548 above the average income of health & physical education majors.

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

3
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
326 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
8.0% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in health & physical education needs to look into James Madison University. JMU is a very large public university located in the city of Harrisonburg. This university ranks 6th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 326 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from James Madison University make $7,457 more than the typical phys ed graduate.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from James Madison University

4
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
683 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
14.2% Growth in Graduates

Any student who is interested in health & physical education has to take a look at American Public University System. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Military University is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #144 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means American Military University is a great university overall.

There were about 683 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from American Public University System get an earnings boost of around $20,735 above the typical income of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from American Public University System

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
401 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
4.5% Growth in Graduates

UNC Chapel Hill is a very large public university located in the city of Chapel Hill. A Best Colleges rank of #43 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UNC Chapel Hill is a great university overall.

There were approximately 401 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UNC Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill receive $6,531 more than the typical phys ed student.

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

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
275 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$39,920 Median Starting Salary

UofSC is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Columbia. A Best Colleges rank of #152 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UofSC is a great university overall.

There were about 275 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from University of South Carolina - Columbia make $9,786 more than the standard phys ed student.

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

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
303 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$29,679 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were about 303 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program state that they receive average early career earnings of $29,679.

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

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
117 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
18.8% Growth in Graduates

University of Virginia is a very large public university located in the small suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 117 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from University of Virginia - Main Campus get an earnings boost of around $19,819 over the typical income of health & physical education majors.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of Virginia - Main Campus

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
414 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$30,686 Median Starting Salary

Located in the midsize city of Knoxville, UT Knoxville is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 45 schools for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 414 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, phys ed degree recipients generally earn an average of $30,686 at the beginning of their careers.

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

10
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
113 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
16.8% Growth in Graduates

GMU is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Fairfax. A Best Colleges rank of #117 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were approximately 113 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from George Mason University earn a boost of around $4,075 above the typical earnings of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from George Mason University

11
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
58 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$38,796 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Charleston, The Citadel is a public college with a small student population. This college ranks 6th out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were approximately 58 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at The Citadel in the most recent year we have data available. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Citadel Military College of South Carolina earn $8,662 more than the typical phys ed graduate.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Citadel Military College of South Carolina

12
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
200 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
6.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the small city of Fayetteville, UARK is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 34 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arkansas.

There were about 200 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UARK in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the phys ed program earn an average of $30,309 for their early career.

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

13
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
19.0% Growth in Graduates
$38,731 Median Starting Salary

Shenandoah is a small private not-for-profit university located in the city of Winchester. This university ranks 9th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 21 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at Shenandoah University make $8,597 above the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

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

14
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
100 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$35,761 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Coral Gables, U Miami is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #91 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U Miami is a great university overall.

There were approximately 100 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at U Miami in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the health & physical education major at University of Miami make $5,627 more than the standard graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

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

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
271 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
1.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Louisville, UofL is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 38 colleges for overall quality in the state of Kentucky.

There were roughly 271 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UofL in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from University of Louisville get an earnings boost of around $4,360 above the average income of health & physical education graduates.

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

16
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
204 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$32,221 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #121 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Florida State is a great university overall.

There were approximately 204 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Florida State in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from Florida State University earn a boost of about $2,087 over the average earnings of health & physical education graduates.

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

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
160 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$38,481 Median Starting Salary

Middle Tennessee State University is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Murfreesboro. This university ranks 12th out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were approximately 160 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn $8,347 more than the standard phys ed graduate.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Middle Tennessee State University

18
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
125 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
$27,366 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, William & Mary is a public school with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #111 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means William & Mary is a great school overall.

There were about 125 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at William & Mary in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program report average early career income of $27,366.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from William & Mary

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
199 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
17.6% Growth in Graduates

Ole Miss is a fairly large public university located in the town of University. This university ranks 2nd out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Mississippi.

There were approximately 199 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Ole Miss in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the phys ed program report average early career earnings of $24,639.

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

20
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In NC
181 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Wilmington, UNCW is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 93 colleges for overall quality in the state of North Carolina.

There were roughly 181 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at UNCW in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from University of North Carolina at Wilmington

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
8.2% Growth in Graduates

The Academy is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Daphne.

There were roughly 49 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at The Academy in the most recent year we have data available. Health & Physical Education degree recipients from United States Sports Academy receive an earnings boost of approximately $22,340 over the average earnings of health & physical education graduates.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from United States Sports Academy

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
276 Phys Ed Degrees Awarded
11.2% Growth in Graduates

A-State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Jonesboro. This university ranks 2nd out of 34 schools for overall quality in the state of Arkansas.

There were approximately 276 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at A-State in the most recent data year. Those health & physical education students who get their degree from Arkansas State University - Main Campus receive $6,523 more than the average phys ed student.

More information about a degree in health & physical education from Arkansas State University - Main Campus

Rest of the Top Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region

Additional Noteworthy Schools

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 Schools in the Southeast Region award.

Rank College Location
26 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
27 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
28 Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS
29 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
30 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
23 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
24 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
25 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA

Best Health & Physical Education Colleges by State

Explore the best health & physical education colleges for a specific state in the Southeast Region .

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 1,801
Florida 282 1,944
North Carolina 279 2,932
Virginia 274 1,581
Tennessee 269 2,402
South Carolina 248 1,140
Kentucky 244 952
Louisiana 242 678
Mississippi 234 1,043
Arkansas 234 854
Alabama 233 858
West Virginia 207 1,158

View All Rankings >

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 Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 7,974
Sports Management 5,723
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General 3,119
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness 489
Physical Fitness Technician 178
Sports Studies 148

View All Phys Ed Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Recreation Administration 1,447
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 568
Outdoor Education 78
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 36

View All Phys Ed Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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