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Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region

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2023 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region

158 Colleges
$30,134 Avg Salary
$25,357 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.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 158 schools in the Southeast Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Health & Physical Education Colleges.

Top 15% Best Health & Physical Education Schools

Our 2023 rankings named American Public University System the best school in the Southeast Region for health and physical education students. American Military University is a fairly large private for-profit school located in the fringe town of Charles Town.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at American Military University accumulate an average of around $21,148 in student debt.

Full Health & Physical Education at American Public University System Report

#2

Emory University

Atlanta, GA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Emory University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at Emory accumulate an average of around $19,250 in student debt.

Full Health & Physical Education at Emory University Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region list. University of Virginia is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from University of Virginia carry an average student debtload of $20,750.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at University of Virginia - Main Campus

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region list. UNCW is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Wilmington.

Read More…

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region list. The Citadel is a small public school located in the city of Charleston.

On average, phys ed graduates from The Citadel take out $19,790 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $426.

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

North Carolina State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Raleigh, NC State is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, phys ed graduates from NC State take out $22,250 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $206, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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

#7

Shenandoah University

Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region list. Shenandoah is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester.

On average, phys ed graduates from Shenandoah take out $27,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Health & Physical Education at Shenandoah University Report

#8

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health and physical education programs. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that phys ed majors at JMU take out is $21,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $335, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Health & Physical Education at James Madison University Report

#9

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health and physical education programs. Located in the city of Gainesville, UF is a public college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at UF accumulate an average of around $19,000 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $239.

Read More…

#10

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL

University of Florida-Online did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #10 on the list. UF Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize city of Gainesville.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from UF Online carry an average student debtload of $19,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $239.

Read More…

With a ranking of #11, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on this year’s best schools for health and physical education students. UofSC is a very large public school located in the midsize city of Columbia.

On average, phys ed graduates from UofSC take out $26,000 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $426.

Full Health & Physical Education at University of South Carolina - Columbia Report

#12

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

George Mason University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #12 on the list. GMU is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax.

The average amount in student loans that phys ed majors at GMU take out is $22,351.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at George Mason University

With a ranking of #13, United States Sports Academy did quite well on this year’s best schools for health and physical education students. Located in the city of Daphne, The Academy is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from The Academy carry an average student debtload of $31,000.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at United States Sports Academy

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #14 on this year’s Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, UNC Chapel Hill is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from UNC Chapel Hill carry an average student debtload of $17,500. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $307, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#15

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida 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. Located in the large city of Jacksonville, UNF is a public college with a large student population.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at UNF accumulate an average of around $17,200 in student debt.

Full Health & Physical Education at University of North Florida Report

#16

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA

William & Mary 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. William & Mary is a moderately-sized public school located in the small suburb of Williamsburg.

The average amount in student loans that phys ed majors at William & Mary take out is $19,500.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at William & Mary

With a ranking of #17, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for health and physical education students. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, phys ed graduates from Louisiana State University carry an average student debtload of $22,890. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $517, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Health & Physical Education at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Report

#18

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in the small suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that phys ed majors at Bridgewater take out is $27,000. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $253.

Full Health & Physical Education at Bridgewater College Report

#19

Louisiana College

Pineville, LA

With a ranking of #19, Louisiana College did quite well on this year’s best schools for health and physical education students. Louisiana College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Pineville.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at Louisiana College accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt.

Full Health & Physical Education at Louisiana College Report

#20

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

Clemson University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health and physical education students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Clemson, Clemson is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Read More…

#21

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health and physical education programs. Located in the medium-sized city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, phys ed majors at Wake Forest University accumulate an average of around $19,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Wake Forest University

With a ranking of #22, Florida International University did quite well on this year’s best schools for health and physical education students. FIU is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami.

Full Health & Physical Education at Florida International University Report

#23

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health and physical education programs. UARK is a very large public school located in the small city of Fayetteville.

The average amount in student loans that phys ed majors at UARK take out is $23,250. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $402.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at University of Arkansas

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
24 Augusta University Augusta, GA
25 University of Georgia Athens, GA
26 The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN
27 University of Central Florida Orlando, FL
28 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
29 Samford University Birmingham, AL
30 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
31 Berry College Mount Berry, GA

Best Health & Physical Education Colleges by State

Explore the best health and physical education schools for a specific state in the Southeast region.

State Degrees Awarded
Georgia 1,805
Virginia 1,593
North Carolina 2,940
Florida 1,949
Tennessee 2,405
Kentucky 988
South Carolina 1,141
Louisiana 678
Arkansas 854
Alabama 858
Mississippi 1,050
West Virginia 1,170

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

Majors Similar to Phys Ed

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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