2027 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in Iowa
Health & Physical Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools to find the best for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall health & physical education education in Iowa.
Top Schools in Health & Physical Education
Leading the list is Drake University, our #1 school for health & physical education. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Des Moines. Drake University graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Drake University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $56,228 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,273.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Drake University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Iowa one of the top schools for health & physical education. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 619 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $32,737. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Iowa
Iowa State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best health & physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 210 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,492. Typical student debt for the program is $25,425.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Iowa State University
A rank of #4 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the top schools for health & physical education. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 108 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $37,954 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full health & physical education details for University Of Northern Iowa
Students looking for a strong health & physical education program will find one at Mount Mercy University, which ranked #5. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Mount Mercy University awarded about 18 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Mount Mercy University earn a median of $50,431 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,709.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Mount Mercy University
Saint Ambrose University landed the #6 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Saint Ambrose University earn around $26,608 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Saint Ambrose University
Central College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best health & physical education schools. Central College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pella. Central College graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Central College in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Central College earn a median of $35,914 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Central College
Simpson College landed the #8 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 23 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Simpson College in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $38,158 in their early career. Simpson College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Simpson College
Dordt College earned the #9 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Dordt College in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Dordt College earn around $54,926 in the first couple years of their career. Dordt College graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Dordt College
Cornell College earned the #10 position for health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Cornell College graduates 62% of students within six years. Cornell College awarded about 41 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Cornell College earn around $35,439 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Cornell College
Iowa Western Community College placed #11 among the best health & physical education schools. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. There were roughly 28 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Western Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $43,444 in their early career. Iowa Western Community College graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Iowa Western Community College
Grand View University landed the #12 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 55 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Grand View University earn around $43,236 in the first couple years of their career. Grand View University graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Grand View University
Des Moines Area Community College placed #13 among the best health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 17 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Des Moines Area Community College in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Des Moines Area Community College graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Des Moines Area Community College
Kirkwood Community College earned the #14 position for health & physical education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. There were roughly 13 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Kirkwood Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $41,681 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,779.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Kirkwood Community College
Coe College landed the #15 spot for health & physical education this year. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Coe College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Coe College earn around $44,511 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full health & physical education details for Coe College
Waldorf College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best health & physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 24% of students finish within six years. About 12 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Waldorf College in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Waldorf College earn around $63,346 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,622.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Waldorf College
Buena Vista University placed #17 among the best health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Buena Vista University awarded about 17 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Buena Vista University earn around $38,356 in the first couple years of their career. Buena Vista University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Buena Vista University
Iowa Lakes Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best health & physical education schools. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. Iowa Lakes Community College awarded about 10 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. Iowa Lakes Community College graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Iowa Lakes Community College
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #19 for health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern College Iowa awarded about 23 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree.
See the full health & physical education program report for Northwestern College Iowa
Wartburg College landed the #20 spot for health & physical education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Waverly. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Wartburg College awarded about 34 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Wartburg College graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Wartburg College
Luther College landed the #21 spot for health & physical education this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 11 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Luther College in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Luther College earn around $42,426 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full health & physical education details for Luther College
Loras College earned the #22 position for health & physical education this year. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 46 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Loras College in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Loras College earn a median of $31,493 early in their careers. Loras College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Loras College
Clarke University placed #23 among the best health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Clarke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Clarke University generally make around $31,013. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete this degree.
See the full health & physical education program report for Clarke University
University Of Dubuque ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit university. About 40% of students finish within six years. University Of Dubuque awarded about 27 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $37,528. University Of Dubuque graduates carry a median of $27,560 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for University Of Dubuque
Briar Cliff University placed #25 among the best health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 20 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Briar Cliff University in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of $61,105 early in their careers. Briar Cliff University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for Briar Cliff University
Rest of the Top 28 Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education ranking:
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), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 28 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.
