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2023 Best Health & Physical Education Schools

564 Colleges
$31,386 Avg Salary
$24,576 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Health & Physical Education School for You

Health & Physical Education is the #11 most popular major in the country with 67,146 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking. This report analyzed 564 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the United States

Check out the phys ed programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 25 Top Schools in Health & Physical Education

Our 2023 rankings named International Sports Sciences Association the best school in the United States for health and physical education students. ISSA is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized suburb of Carpinteria.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at ISSA accumulate an average of around $17,163 in student debt.

Full Health & Physical Education at International Sports Sciences Association Report

The excellent programs at Focus Personal Training Institute helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best health and physical education schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, FPTI is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from FPTI carry an average student debtload of $7,355.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Focus Personal Training Institute

#3

Rice University

Houston, TX

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Rice University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Health & Physical Education Schools list. Located in the city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

Phys Ed majors at Rice take out an average of $10,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

The excellent programs at American Public University System helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best health and physical education schools in the United States. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.

On average, phys ed graduates from American Military University take out $21,148 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Health & Physical Education at American Public University System Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Maryville University of Saint Louis. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Health & Physical Education Schools list. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville U is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from Maryville U carry an average student debtload of $21,000.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Maryville University of Saint Louis

Southern Methodist University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Dallas, SMU is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

Phys Ed majors at SMU take out an average of $21,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Southern Methodist University

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #7 on the list. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of New York.

Full Health & Physical Education at Columbia University in the City of New York Report

South Dakota State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State is a public college with a large student population.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from South Dakota State carry an average student debtload of $24,068.

Read More…

#9

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

Northwestern University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Health & Physical Education Schools list. Located in the small city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Read More…

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health and physical education programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from U-M carry an average student debtload of $17,507. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $531.

Read More…

#11

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Emory University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the large city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.

On average, phys ed graduates from Emory take out $19,250 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Emory University

#12

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health and physical education programs. University of Virginia is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville.

Phys Ed majors at University of Virginia take out an average of $20,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Health & Physical Education at University of Virginia - Main Campus Report

#13

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #13 on the list. DSU is a small public school located in the remote town of Dickinson.

Read More…

#14

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud State University is a public school with a large student population.

Full Health & Physical Education at Saint Cloud State University Report

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #15 on the list. UNCW is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Wilmington.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

#16

Simpson College

Indianola, IA

Simpson College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #16 on the list. Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Indianola.

The average amount in student loans that phys ed majors at Simpson College take out is $27,000.

Full Health & Physical Education at Simpson College Report

#17

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

With a ranking of #17, Syracuse University did quite well on this year’s best schools for health and physical education students. Located in the midsize city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Phys Ed majors at Syracuse take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $555, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Health & Physical Education at Syracuse University Report

#18

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking. Seton Hall is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at Seton Hall accumulate an average of around $24,125 in student debt.

Read More…

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public school with a very large student population.

Phys Ed majors at UT Austin take out an average of $21,765 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $385, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Health & Physical Education at The University of Texas at Austin Report

#20

Winona State University

Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Health & Physical Education Schools list. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at Winona State accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $259, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#21

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

With a ranking of #21, University of North Dakota did quite well on this year’s best schools for health and physical education students. Located in the city of Grand Forks, UND is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Full Health & Physical Education at University of North Dakota Report

With a ranking of #22, Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well on this year’s best schools for health and physical education students. The Citadel is a small public school located in the midsize city of Charleston.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from The Citadel carry an average student debtload of $19,790. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $426, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Health & Physical Education at Citadel Military College of South Carolina Report

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking. Texas A&M College Station is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of College Station.

The average amount in student loans that phys ed majors at Texas A&M College Station take out is $19,500. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $345.

Full Health & Physical Education at Texas A&M University - College Station Report

North Carolina State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking. Located in the large city of Raleigh, NC State is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from NC State carry an average student debtload of $22,250. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $206.

Read More…

#25

Shenandoah University

Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking. Shenandoah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the small city of Winchester.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from Shenandoah carry an average student debtload of $27,000.

Full Health & Physical Education at Shenandoah University Report

Rest of the Top 50 Best Health & Physical Education Schools

#26

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA
#27

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL
#28

Bethel University Minnesota

Saint Paul, MN
#29

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, MN
#30

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, IA
#31

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL
#32

Northwestern College

Orange City, IA
#38

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA
#40

Loras College

Dubuque, IA
#41

St Olaf College

Northfield, MN
#42

McDaniel College

Westminster, MD
#44

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA
#45

University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS
#47

Wilmington College

Wilmington, OH
#48

Georgetown University

Washington, DC
#49

Westmont College

Santa Barbara, CA
#50

St. John Fisher College

Rochester, NY

Remaining Award Winners

This section shows the rest of the schools awarded a Best Health & Physical Education Schools badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 564 different United States health and physical education schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Concordia University, Irvine Irvine, CA
52 Robert Morris University Moon Township, PA
53 Franklin College Franklin, IN
54 University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WI
55 Southern California Health Institute Reseda, CA
56 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
57 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN
58 University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WI
59 Baldwin Wallace University Berea, OH
60 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
61 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
62 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
63 Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN
64 University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA
65 University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
66 Minnesota State University - Moorhead Moorhead, MN
67 San Jose State University San Jose, CA
68 Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX
69 University of Houston - Clear Lake Houston, TX
70 Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, IN
71 Otterbein University Westerville, OH
72 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
73 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
74 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
75 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH
76 William & Mary Williamsburg, VA
77 Washington State University Pullman, WA
78 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX
79 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
80 Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA
81 Towson University Towson, MD
82 University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD
83 John Carroll University University Heights, OH
84 Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN

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 award.

Rank College Location
85 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
86 University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI
87 North Park University Chicago, IL
88 Wisconsin Lutheran College Milwaukee, WI
89 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
90 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
91 Ashland University Ashland, OH
92 University of Delaware Newark, DE
93 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
94 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
95 Hope College Holland, MI
96 Bridgewater College Bridgewater, VA
97 Wartburg College Waverly, IA
98 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA
99 Louisiana College Pineville, LA
100 Saint Edward’s University Austin, TX
101 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
102 Taylor University Upland, IN
103 Clemson University Clemson, SC
104 University of Mount Union Alliance, OH
105 The University of Findlay Findlay, OH
106 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
107 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC
108 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
109 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
110 Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, OK
111 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
112 Mount St Mary’s University Emmitsburg, MD

Health & Physical Education by Region

View the Best Health & Physical Education Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

One of 4 majors within the area of study, health and physical education has other similar majors worth exploring.

Related Major Annual Graduates
Recreation Administration 3,122
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 3,106
Outdoor Education 265
Other Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies 174

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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.

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