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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Physical Education Master’s Degree Schools

34 Colleges in the United States
1,808 Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$43,135 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 496 schools to find the best for physical education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Education in the United States

Below are the best physical education schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Physical Education

1

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2026 ranking of the best physical education schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $41,473 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for physical education. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 20 physical education degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. Read more about the physical education program at San Jose State University

3

Students looking for a strong physical education program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 295 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $47,637 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

Students looking for a strong physical education program will find one at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #4. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $49,357. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from California State University Long Beach

5

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 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 $47,682 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

6
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #6 among the best physical education schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 12 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 $45,101 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in physical education from James Madison University

7

Central Washington University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Central Washington University awarded about 27 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $61,551 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,848 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Central Washington University

8

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 32 physical education degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $55,675 in their early career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for Ohio University Main Campus

9

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #9 among the best physical education schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania graduates 56% of students within six years. About 32 physical education degrees were awarded at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. See the full physical education program report for Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

10

Illinois State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $44,066. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from Illinois State University

11

University Of Rhode Island ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. About 15 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $52,821 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for University Of Rhode Island

12

University Of Georgia landed the #12 spot for physical education this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Georgia awarded about 10 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of Georgia earn around $39,610 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from University Of Georgia

13

California State University Fresno earned the #13 position for physical education this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fresno in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $26,931 in their early career. California State University Fresno graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Get the full physical education details for California State University Fresno

14

Saint Marys College Of California earned the #14 position for physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Saint Marys College Of California earn a median of $64,450 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,300. See the full physical education program report for Saint Marys College Of California

15

Fresno Pacific University landed the #15 spot for physical education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fresno. Fresno Pacific University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 12 physical education degrees were awarded at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Fresno Pacific University generally make around $60,890. Fresno Pacific University graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for Fresno Pacific University

16

University Of Louisville came in at #16 for physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $40,748. University Of Louisville graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans. Get the full physical education details for University Of Louisville

17

Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $35,437 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,200 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus

18

Indiana University Bloomington placed #18 among the best physical education schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. 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 $53,406. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Get the full physical education details for Indiana University Bloomington

19

San Francisco State University earned the #19 position for physical education this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 13 physical education students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $26,176 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,500. See the full physical education program report for San Francisco State University

20

California State University Northridge earned the #20 position for physical education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $44,961 in their early career. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full physical education details for California State University Northridge

21

Bridgewater State University earned the #21 position for physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Bridgewater State University graduates 53% of students within six years. Bridgewater State University awarded about 15 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Bridgewater State University earn around $48,937 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for Bridgewater State University

22

American Public University System earned the #22 position for physical education this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 100 physical education students who graduated with this degree at American Public University System in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $59,601. Typical student debt for the program is $19,312. Read more about the physical education program at American Public University System

23

Vermont Technical College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. Vermont Technical College awarded about 18 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $37,493 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,208. More information about a degree in physical education from Vermont Technical College

24
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University landed the #24 spot for physical education this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Gonzaga University awarded about 19 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Gonzaga University generally make around $40,897. Gonzaga University graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for Gonzaga University

25

Baylor University landed the #25 spot for physical education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waco. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 102 physical education degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $43,684 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,997 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Baylor University

Rest of the Top 50 Physical Education Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
31
32
Canisius College crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY
33
34
35
36
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN
37
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Randolph College crest
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA
45
46
47
48
Life University crest
Life University
Marietta, GA
49
50
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

Other Physical Education Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Physical Education rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Physical Education
Associate's Degrees in Physical Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Physical Education
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View All Physical Education Rankings >

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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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