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

20 Colleges in the United States
1,989 Health & Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$40,963 Avg Early-Career Salary

Health & Physical Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best health & physical education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in Illinois

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 health & physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Health & Physical Education

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 50 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Northwestern University earn around $58,537 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Northwestern University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for health & physical education. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 208 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,187. Typical student debt for the program is $21,425. Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

3

Loyola University Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 36 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Loyola University Chicago

4

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. 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. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,874. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

5

Illinois State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Illinois State University awarded about 155 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Illinois State University earn around $37,059 in the first couple years of their career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Read more about the health & physical education program at Illinois State University

6

Saint Xavier University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 45 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent 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. Typical student debt for the program is $25,735. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Saint Xavier University

7
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University landed the #7 spot for health & physical education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $25,310 in student loans. See the full health & physical education program report for Depaul University

8

Illinois Wesleyan University placed #8 among the best health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 12 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent 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. See the full health & physical education program report for Illinois Wesleyan University

9
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #9 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 79 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Aurora University in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $37,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full health & physical education program report for Aurora University

10
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #10 for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. About 12 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Harper College in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Harper College earn around $44,523 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for Harper College

11

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #11 spot for health & physical education this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Springfield awarded about 20 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Illinois At Springfield earn around $53,344 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full health & physical education details for University Of Illinois At Springfield

12

Adler School Of Professional Psychology earned the #12 position for health & physical education this year. Adler School Of Professional Psychology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 13 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Adler School Of Professional Psychology in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Adler School Of Professional Psychology earn around $55,542 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full health & physical education details for Adler School Of Professional Psychology

13
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University earned the #13 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 67% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $28,856 in their early career. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full health & physical education program report for Lewis University

14
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College placed #14 among the best health & physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Elmhurst College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Elmhurst College earn around $31,538 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Elmhurst College

15
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL

Rockford College placed #15 among the best health & physical education schools. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. Rockford College graduates 47% of students within six years. Rockford College awarded about 26 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Rockford College earn around $56,020 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Rockford College

16

Eastern Illinois University came in at #16 for health & physical education this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 113 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,776. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Eastern Illinois University

17

College Of Lake County landed the #17 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. About 10 health & physical education degrees were awarded at College Of Lake County in the most recent year. Health & Physical Education graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,785. See the full health & physical education program report for College Of Lake County

18

Benedictine University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best health & physical education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lisle. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Benedictine University in the most recent year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $44,714 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Benedictine University

19
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College earned the #19 position for health & physical education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Naperville. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Central College awarded about 48 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of North Central College earn a median of $34,609 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for North Central College

20

Judson University earned the #20 position for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit university. Judson University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 19 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Judson University in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $47,550 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,685. See the full health & physical education program report for Judson University

21

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #21 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 11 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. See the full health & physical education program report for Northeastern Illinois University

22

Northern Illinois University landed the #22 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 121 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $36,011 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete this degree. See the full health & physical education program report for Northern Illinois University

23

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #23 spot for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville awarded about 129 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn around $34,811 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,237 to complete this degree. Get the full health & physical education details for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

24

North Park University earned the #24 position for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at North Park University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $30,165. Typical student debt for the program is $25,495. Read more about the health & physical education program at North Park University

25

Concordia University Chicago placed #25 among the best health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Concordia University Chicago awarded about 343 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $40,158 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health & physical education from Concordia University Chicago

Rest of the Top 35 Health & Physical Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education ranking:

26
27
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
28
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, IL
29
30
31
32
Quincy University crest
Quincy University
Quincy, IL
33
Monmouth College crest
Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL
34
35
Greenville College crest
Greenville College
Greenville, IL

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 52 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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