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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Education Schools

146 Colleges in the United States
11,520 Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$38,972 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 496 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Physical Education School

Best Physical Education Schools

The school you choose for physical education can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Physical Education Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Physical Education Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Physical Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Physical Education
Master's Degrees in Physical Education
Doctoral Degrees in Physical Education

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Physical Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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Best Schools for Physical Education in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical education education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Physical Education

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year for physical education. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 31 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $42,490 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical education program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for physical education. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 34 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

3

Students looking for a strong physical education program will find one at San Jose State University, which ranked #3. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 281 physical education students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. See the full physical education program report for San Jose State University

4
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

A rank of #4 makes James Madison University one of the top schools for physical education. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 151 physical education degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $40,528 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full physical education program report for James Madison University

5

Students looking for a strong physical education program will find one at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,640. Typical student debt for the program is $19,657. Get the full physical education details for Indiana University Bloomington

6

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #6 position for physical education this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 physical education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $35,583. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete this degree. Get the full physical education details for The University Of Texas At Austin

7
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University landed the #7 spot for physical education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. Emory University awarded about 54 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $37,974 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,883 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Emory University

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 295 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $39,401. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Read more about the physical education program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

9

University Of Georgia landed the #9 spot for physical education this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 10 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $36,359 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. Read more about the physical education program at University Of Georgia

10

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for physical education this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 63 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $42,137 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical education program at Ohio State University Main Campus

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #11 among the best physical education schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 193 physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $28,364. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical education program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

University Of Rhode Island came in at #12 for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 15 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from University Of Rhode Island

13

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 76 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $30,472 early in their careers. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

14

California State University Sacramento came in at #14 for physical education this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 299 physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $31,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,129. More information about a degree in physical education from California State University Sacramento

15

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best physical education schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 172 physical education degrees were awarded at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Get the full physical education details for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

16

Texas Christian University landed the #16 spot for physical education this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. Get the full physical education details for Texas Christian University

17

Illinois State University placed #17 among the best physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 61 physical education degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Illinois State University earn around $37,059 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for Illinois State University

18

Ohio University Main Campus placed #18 among the best physical education schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 114 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $45,420 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in physical education from Ohio University Main Campus

19

California State University Long Beach earned the #19 position for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 278 physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $35,753 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from California State University Long Beach

20

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for physical education this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 32 physical education degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Read more about the physical education program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

21

College Of William And Mary earned the #21 position for physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. College Of William And Mary awarded about 115 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $27,114 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,413. See the full physical education program report for College Of William And Mary

22

University Of The Pacific landed the #22 spot for physical education this year. Located in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of The Pacific in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of The Pacific earn around $77,022 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the physical education program at University Of The Pacific

23

Central Washington University placed #23 among the best physical education schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. Central Washington University awarded about 31 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $48,410 in their early career. Central Washington University graduates carry a median of $17,848 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for Central Washington University

24

San Diego State University earned the #24 position for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 405 physical education students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $26,327. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from San Diego State University

25

California State University Fresno landed the #25 spot for physical education this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 317 physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Read more about the physical education program at California State University Fresno

Rest of the Top 50 Physical Education Schools

These schools also placed among the best for physical education this year:

26
27
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
37
38
39
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL
47
48
49
50

Additional Physical Education Award Winners

These schools also stood out for physical education:

Rank School Location
#52 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV
#55 University Of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
#60 University Of New Hampshire Main Campus Durham, NH
#64 American Public University System Charles Town, WV
#78 Plymouth State University Plymouth, NH
#90 Canisius College Buffalo, NY
#95 Liberty University Lynchburg, VA

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for physical education:

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Physical Education by Region

View the Best 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

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Physical Education is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 496 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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