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

8 Colleges in the United States
556 Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$40,633 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their physical education programs.

College Factual analyzed 16 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 Tennessee

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall physical education education in Tennessee.

Top Schools in Physical Education

1

Tennessee Technological University tops our 2026 ranking of the best physical education schools. This large public university is located in the town of Cookeville. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 127 physical education degrees were awarded at Tennessee Technological University in the most recent year. Physical Education graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,653. Get the full physical education details for Tennessee Technological University

2

Middle Tennessee State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Murfreesboro. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 23 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $36,462. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Middle Tennessee State University

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Tennessee Martin one of the top schools for physical education. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 physical education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee Martin in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $30,587 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,938 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for The University Of Tennessee Martin

4
Milligan College crest
Milligan College
Milligan, TN

Students looking for a strong physical education program will find one at Milligan College, which ranked #4. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Milligan. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Milligan College awarded about 24 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Typical student debt for the program is $23,601. Read more about the physical education program at Milligan College

5

Freed Hardeman University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 21 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $54,530 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Freed Hardeman University

6

East Tennessee State University landed the #6 spot for physical education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Johnson City. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 physical education students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from East Tennessee State University earn around $34,043 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,036. See the full physical education program report for East Tennessee State University

7

Austin Peay State University placed #7 among the best physical education schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 105 physical education degrees were awarded at Austin Peay State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Austin Peay State University earn around $37,636 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Austin Peay State University

8

Tennessee Wesleyan College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. Tennessee Wesleyan College awarded about 10 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College earn around $58,859 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Tennessee Wesleyan College

9

Bryan College Dayton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best physical education schools. Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Dayton. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bryan College Dayton awarded about 16 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $27,342 in their early career. Bryan College Dayton graduates carry a median of $26,077 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from Bryan College Dayton

10

Martin Methodist College landed the #10 spot for physical education this year. This small public university is located in the town of Pulaski. About 35% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Martin Methodist College in the most recent data year. Physical Education graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $28,069 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. Read more about the physical education program at Martin Methodist College

11

Tennessee State University earned the #11 position for physical education this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Tennessee State University graduates 35% of students within six years. Tennessee State University awarded about 40 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $34,855. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for Tennessee State University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 16 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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