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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools in the The Plains States Region

6 Colleges in the United States
145 Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Degrees Awarded
$48,807 Avg Early-Career Salary

Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness in the The Plains States Region

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 outdoor health & physical education/fitness degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Minnesota Twin Cities this year for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 outdoor health & physical education/fitness students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,050. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Saint Peter. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 33 outdoor health & physical education/fitness degrees were awarded at Gustavus Adolphus College in the most recent year. Graduates of the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program make about $38,796 in their early career. Gustavus Adolphus College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness from Gustavus Adolphus College

3

Students looking for a strong outdoor health & physical education/fitness program will find one at Mount Marty College, which ranked #3. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Yankton. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 outdoor health & physical education/fitness degrees were awarded at Mount Marty College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Mount Marty College generally make around $108,425. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full outdoor health & physical education/fitness program report for Mount Marty College

4

Dickinson State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, ranking #4. This small public university is located in the town of Dickinson. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 10 outdoor health & physical education/fitness degrees were awarded at Dickinson State University in the most recent year. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete this degree. See the full outdoor health & physical education/fitness program report for Dickinson State University

5

Saint Ambrose University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saint Ambrose University awarded about 19 outdoor health & physical education/fitness degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their outdoor health & physical education/fitness 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 outdoor health & physical education/fitness program at Saint Ambrose University

6
Benedictine College crest
Benedictine College
Atchison, KS

Benedictine College placed #6 among the best outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Atchison. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 outdoor health & physical education/fitness degrees were awarded at Benedictine College in the most recent year. Graduates of the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program make about $46,255 in their early career. Benedictine College graduates carry a median of $26,798 in student loans. Read more about the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program at Benedictine College

7

Missouri Southern State University landed the #7 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The six-year graduation rate is 40%. About 18 outdoor health & physical education/fitness degrees were awarded at Missouri Southern State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree from Missouri Southern State University earn around $34,465 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri Southern State University graduates carry a median of $24,947 in student loans. Read more about the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program at Missouri Southern State University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 17 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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