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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in California

39 Colleges in the United States
10,055 Health & Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$46,343 Avg Early-Career Salary

Health & Physical Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 167 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health & physical education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in California

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall health & physical education education in California.

Top Schools in Health & Physical Education

1

Our analysis ranked San Jose State University the best school in the country for a degree in health & 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 281 health & physical education degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year. See the full health & physical education program report for San Jose State University

2

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pomona. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 193 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $28,364 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the health & physical education program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

3

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health & physical education, ranking #3. 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. About 76 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $30,472. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $16,666 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

California State University Sacramento is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health & physical education, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 301 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $31,901 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,129. More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University Sacramento

5

A rank of #5 makes Pepperdine University one of the top schools for health & physical education. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Pepperdine University in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $34,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,336 to complete this degree. Read more about the health & physical education program at Pepperdine University

6
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco landed the #6 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Francisco graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 121 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $36,342 early in their careers. University Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $24,905 in student loans. See the full health & physical education program report for University Of San Francisco

7

California State University Long Beach ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 336 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & 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. Read more about the health & physical education program at California State University Long Beach

8

Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #8 for health & physical education this year. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 74 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $49,053 early in their careers. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for Point Loma Nazarene University

9

University Of The Pacific ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Stockton. University Of The Pacific graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Pacific in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of The Pacific generally make around $77,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for University Of The Pacific

10

University Of La Verne placed #10 among the best health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of La Verne graduates 63% of students within six years. About 68 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of La Verne in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. Typical student debt for the program is $26,314. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of La Verne

11

San Diego State University landed the #11 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 413 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $26,327. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for San Diego State University

12

California State University Fresno ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 321 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California State University Fresno in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $26,931 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,314. Get the full health & physical education details for California State University Fresno

13

California State University East Bay earned the #13 position for health & physical education this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 135 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California State University East Bay in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $33,189. California State University East Bay graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for California State University East Bay

14
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #14 for health & physical education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 95 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Sonoma State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Sonoma State University earn around $33,022 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,628 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for Sonoma State University

15

Saint Marys College Of California earned the #15 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 54 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $49,447 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,300 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for Saint Marys College Of California

16

California State University Monterey Bay earned the #16 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 145 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $29,929 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,750. Get the full health & physical education details for California State University Monterey Bay

17

California State University San Bernardino landed the #17 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 258 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $29,143 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University San Bernardino

18

San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 156 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from San Francisco State University earn around $26,176 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for San Francisco State University

19

California Lutheran University landed the #19 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 health & physical education degrees were awarded at California Lutheran University in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from California Lutheran University earn around $33,818 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for California Lutheran University

20

California State University Northridge came in at #20 for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 351 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $36,457 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the health & physical education program at California State University Northridge

21

California State University Fullerton landed the #21 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 633 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $28,342 in their early career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $14,481 in student loans. Read more about the health & physical education program at California State University Fullerton

22

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa Junior College awarded about 50 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Get the full health & physical education details for Santa Rosa Junior College

23
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College placed #23 among the best health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. About 170 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Shasta College in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $50,330 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Shasta College

24

Concordia University Irvine earned the #24 position for health & physical education this year. Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Irvine. Concordia University Irvine graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 287 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $43,152. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full health & physical education details for Concordia University Irvine

25

California State University Los Angeles landed the #25 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 241 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $28,687 early in their careers. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in health & physical education from California State University Los Angeles

Rest of the Top 50 Health & Physical Education Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
30
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
31
32
Occidental College crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA
33
34
35
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
36
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA
37
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
38
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
39
Menlo College crest
Menlo College
Atherton, CA
40
Westmont College crest
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA
41
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
42
Cuesta College crest
Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA
43
44
45
Santa Barbara City College crest
Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA
46
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
47
Simpson University crest
Simpson University
Redding, CA
48
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA
49
50
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for health & physical education:

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View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 167 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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