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

9 Colleges in the United States
528 Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$38,722 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best physical education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Physical Education in North Carolina

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 physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Physical Education

1

No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year for physical education. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 295 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $39,401 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,575. See the full physical education program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical education, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

3
Meredith College crest
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical education, ranking #3. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Meredith College awarded about 12 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $38,525. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for Meredith College

4
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 physical education degrees were awarded at Gardner Webb University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Gardner Webb University earn around $63,220 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,033. See the full physical education program report for Gardner Webb University

5
Mars Hill College crest
Mars Hill College
Mars Hill, NC

Mars Hill College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 45% of students finish within six years. Mars Hill College awarded about 12 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Mars Hill College generally make around $43,031. Students borrow a median of $26,886 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Mars Hill College

6

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #6 spot for physical education this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke awarded about 75 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $25,623. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the physical education program at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

7
Guilford College crest
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College placed #7 among the best physical education schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, Guilford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 19 physical education degrees were awarded at Guilford College in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of Guilford College earn a median of $28,802 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the physical education program at Guilford College

8

North Carolina Central University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. About 70 physical education degrees were awarded at North Carolina Central University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from North Carolina Central University earn around $34,188 in the first couple years of their career. North Carolina Central University graduates carry a median of $33,770 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from North Carolina Central University

9

St Andrews Presbyterian College came in at #9 for physical education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Laurinburg. About 27% of students finish within six years. About 12 physical education degrees were awarded at St Andrews Presbyterian College in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of St Andrews Presbyterian College earn a median of $29,540 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in physical education from St Andrews Presbyterian College

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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 · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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