by our College Data Analytics Team
[Health And Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where health and physical education graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Where you study health and physical education affects what graduates go on to earn. That is why we developed our Highest Paid Health And Physical Education Graduates ranking. We rank each school on the early-career earnings of its health and physical education graduates to surface the highest-paying programs.
Learn more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Highest Paid Health And Physical Education Graduates list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools whose health and physical education graduates go on to earn the most.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #1 spot for highest-paid health and physical education graduates in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of about $136,061 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Union County College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a public institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,721.
University Of Scranton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. Early-career health and physical education graduates from University Of Scranton make a median of around $78,403 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in health and physical education will find them at Saint Louis University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Saint Louis University Main Campus make a median of around $77,984 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of The Pacific earned it the #5 place for health and physical education. Set in the city of Stockton, University Of The Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from University Of The Pacific typically earn about $72,395 annually.
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Wisconsin Lutheran College earned the #6 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,604.
San Jose State University landed the #7 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. San Jose State University is a public school located in the city of San Jose. Early-career health and physical education graduates from San Jose State University make a median of around $69,505 per year.
Pacific Union College placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the rural area of Angwin, Pacific Union College is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Pacific Union College earn a median of about $67,066 a year early in their careers.
Rockhurst University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of about $66,968 a year early in their careers.
Depauw University came in at #10 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Greencastle, Depauw University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Depauw University make a median of around $65,572 per year.
Marian University Wisconsin landed the #11 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Set in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Marian University Wisconsin make a median of around $65,301 per year.
St Catherine University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from St Catherine University make a median of around $65,125 per year.
Walsh University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Walsh University earn a median of about $64,683 a year early in their careers.
Simmons College landed the #14 spot for health and physical education salaries this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Simmons College typically earn about $80,725 annually.
Schreiner University placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the town of Kerrville, Schreiner University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Schreiner University make a median of around $61,235 per year.
Michigan Technological University placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Michigan Technological University is a public school located in the town of Houghton. Health And Physical Education graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $60,932 a year early in their careers.
Georgetown University came in at #17 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of about $83,320 a year early in their careers.
Gannon University came in at #18 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Gannon University earn a median of about $60,778 a year early in their careers.
Milligan College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Milligan, Milligan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,534.
Dickinson State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a public institution. Early-career health and physical education graduates from Dickinson State University make a median of around $60,523 per year.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying health and physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,395.
East Texas Baptist University came in at #22 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. East Texas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from East Texas Baptist University typically earn about $59,336 annually.
Rice University placed #23 among the highest-paying schools for health and physical education. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, health and physical education degree recipients from Rice University typically earn about $71,586 annually.
Shawnee State University came in at #24 for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Shawnee State University is a public school located in the town of Portsmouth. Students who complete the health and physical education program here go on to a median salary of roughly $58,904.
Manhattan College earned the #25 position for health and physical education graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Health And Physical Education graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of about $58,772 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send health and physical education graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
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These institutions also earned high marks for health and physical education graduate pay:
A few more high-earning health and physical education schools worth a look:
| Rank | College | Location | Avg Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #100 | Queens University Of Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | $46,964 | Full Report |
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their health and physical education graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.