2026 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in Tennessee
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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools to find the best for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in Tennessee
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the health & physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Health & Physical Education
The University Of Tennessee tops our 2026 ranking of the best health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 438 health & physical education degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $35,175 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Read more about the health & physical education program at The University Of Tennessee
Students looking for a strong health & physical education program will find one at Lipscomb University, which ranked #2. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Lipscomb University earn around $48,949 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Lipscomb University
Students looking for a strong health & physical education program will find one at Cumberland University, which ranked #3. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lebanon. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 46 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Cumberland University in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $47,696 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Cumberland University
Tennessee Technological University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. Tennessee Technological University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 127 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,653.
See the full health & physical education program report for Tennessee Technological University
Belmont University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health & physical education, ranking #5. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 71 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $37,139 in their early career. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Belmont University
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #6 position for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 196 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $29,772. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full health & physical education details for The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga
King College landed the #7 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 20 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at King College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from King College generally make around $49,297. Students borrow a median of $25,579 to complete this degree.
Get the full health & physical education details for King College
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #8 spot for health & physical education this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 175 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Middle Tennessee State University earn around $36,462 in the first couple years of their career. Middle Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Middle Tennessee State University
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #9 among the best health & physical education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Martin. About 52% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee Martin awarded about 75 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from The University Of Tennessee Martin earn around $30,587 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee Martin graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for The University Of Tennessee Martin
Milligan College landed the #10 spot for health & physical education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Milligan. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Milligan College in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Milligan College earn around $64,327 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,601.
Get the full health & physical education details for Milligan College
Freed Hardeman University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 34 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Freed Hardeman University earn around $54,530 in the first couple years of their career. Freed Hardeman University graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Freed Hardeman University
East Tennessee State University landed the #12 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. East Tennessee State University awarded about 172 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $34,043. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from East Tennessee State University
Union University placed #13 among the best health & physical education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Jackson. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Union University awarded about 17 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Union University generally make around $68,508. Typical student debt for the program is $28,605.
See the full health & physical education program report for Union University
Southern Adventist University came in at #14 for health & physical education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Collegedale. Southern Adventist University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 27 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Southern Adventist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Students borrow a median of $25,975 to complete this degree.
Get the full health & physical education details for Southern Adventist University
University Of Memphis landed the #15 spot for health & physical education this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. About 51% of students finish within six years. About 471 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Memphis in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Memphis earn around $35,610 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Memphis
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #16 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Memorial University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $26,830 in their early career. Lincoln Memorial University graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for Lincoln Memorial University
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Trevecca Nazarene University graduates 53% of students within six years. About 12 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Trevecca Nazarene University in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Trevecca Nazarene University earn around $52,004 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,962.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Trevecca Nazarene University
Austin Peay State University placed #18 among the best health & physical education schools. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. About 39% of students finish within six years. Austin Peay State University awarded about 146 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $37,636 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Austin Peay State University
Carson Newman College came in at #19 for health & physical education this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 48 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Carson Newman College in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $25,972 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,625.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Carson Newman College
Tennessee Wesleyan College placed #20 among the best health & physical education schools. Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 22 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Tennessee Wesleyan College in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan College earn a median of $58,859 early in their careers. Tennessee Wesleyan College graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for Tennessee Wesleyan College
Bryan College Dayton placed #21 among the best health & physical education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 19 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Bryan College Dayton in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $27,342 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,077 to complete this degree.
Get the full health & physical education details for Bryan College Dayton
Martin Methodist College landed the #22 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Martin Methodist College awarded about 26 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $28,069 early in their careers. Martin Methodist College graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Martin Methodist College
Lee University landed the #23 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Lee University in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $22,135 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,750.
See the full health & physical education program report for Lee University
Tusculum College came in at #24 for health & physical education this year. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. Tusculum College graduates 26% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Tusculum College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $22,825 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Tusculum College
Bethel University Tennessee came in at #25 for health & physical education this year. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. The six-year graduation rate is 17%. There were roughly 24 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Bethel University Tennessee earn around $31,638 in the first couple years of their career. Bethel University Tennessee graduates carry a median of $29,677 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for Bethel University Tennessee
Rest of the Top 26 Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong health & physical education 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 · 30 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.