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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region

93 Colleges in the United States
8,885 Health & Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$39,287 Avg Early-Career Salary

Health & Physical Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their health & physical education programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 217 schools to find the best for health & physical education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall health & physical education education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Health & Physical Education

1

Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in health & physical education. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 50 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $58,537. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for Northwestern University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 377 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $42,490 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for health & physical education. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 432 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $44,640 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Indiana University Bloomington

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for health & physical education. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 208 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $31,187 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,425 in student loans. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

5

Students looking for a strong health & physical education program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. 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 248 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $42,137 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. See the full health & physical education program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

6

Loyola University Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 36 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $58,568 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the health & physical education program at Loyola University Chicago

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #7 among the best health & physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 256 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $29,866 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Wisconsin Madison

8

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #8 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 150 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $28,874 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,750. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

9

Miami University Oxford placed #9 among the best health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 290 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $42,958. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for Miami University Oxford

10

Illinois State University came in at #10 for health & physical education this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 155 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $37,059. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for Illinois State University

11

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #11 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 227 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $45,420. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full health & physical education program report for Ohio University Main Campus

12

University Of Dayton came in at #12 for health & physical education this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. University Of Dayton graduates 80% of students within six years. About 22 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $38,011. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Dayton

13

Saint Xavier University placed #13 among the best health & physical education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 45 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Xavier University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Saint Xavier University earn around $51,753 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for Saint Xavier University

14
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University landed the #14 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Oakland University awarded about 43 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for Oakland University

15
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. Michigan State University awarded about 309 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $37,279. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for Michigan State University

16
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

Denison University earned the #16 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Denison University awarded about 24 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Denison University

17

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #17 position for health & physical education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Whitewater. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater awarded about 35 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn around $45,767 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

18
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #18 among the best health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 10 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,226. Students borrow a median of $25,310 to complete this degree. Read more about the health & physical education program at Depaul University

19

Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #19 spot for health & physical education this year. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Illinois Wesleyan University earn around $50,808 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for Illinois Wesleyan University

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best health & physical education schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 228 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $40,569. Typical student debt for the program is $17,625. See the full health & physical education program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

21

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #21 for health & physical education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 111 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $33,756 in their early career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $24,160 in student loans. See the full health & physical education program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

22

Michigan Technological University came in at #22 for health & physical education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $64,652 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,091. Get the full health & physical education details for Michigan Technological University

23

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #23 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 24 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

24

University Of Southern Indiana earned the #24 position for health & physical education this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. University Of Southern Indiana graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 88 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $40,508. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Southern Indiana

25

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #25 position for health & physical education this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 227 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $37,437 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full health & physical education details for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

Rest of the Top 50 Health & Physical Education Schools

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

26
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI
27
28
29
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
30
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL
31
32
33
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL
34
35
36
37
38
39
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH
40
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
41
Depauw University crest
Depauw University
Greencastle, IN
42
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
43
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
44
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
45
46
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL
47
48
49
50

Additional Health & Physical Education Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for health & physical education this year:

Rank School Location
#53 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
#55 North Central College Naperville, IL
#61 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
#68 Concordia University Chicago River Forest, IL

Honorable Mentions

A few more health & physical education schools worth a look:

Narrow Health & Physical Education Schools by State

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View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 217 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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