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 173 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health & physical education students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Health & Physical Education in the The Plains States Region
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.
Our analysis ranked University Of St Thomas Minnesota the best school in the country for a degree in health & physical education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. University Of St Thomas Minnesota awarded about 46 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $65,183 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Missouri Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 35 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
Read more about the health & physical education program at University Of Missouri Columbia
A rank of #3 makes University Of Minnesota Twin Cities one of the top schools for health & physical education. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 132 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $36,050 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Students looking for a strong health & physical education program will find one at University Of Kansas, which ranked #4. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 240 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $33,891. Typical student debt for the program is $22,125.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Kansas
Saint Louis University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health & physical education, ranking #5. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 108 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,316 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Saint Louis University Main Campus
University Of Iowa landed the #6 spot for health & physical education this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 552 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $32,737 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Iowa
Iowa State University came in at #7 for health & physical education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 238 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,492. Typical student debt for the program is $25,425.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Iowa State University
University Of South Dakota placed #8 among the best health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 88 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of South Dakota in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $51,566. Typical student debt for the program is $26,322.
Get the full health & physical education details for University Of South Dakota
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #9 position for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 64 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $33,055 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,629.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from University Of Minnesota Duluth
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for health & physical education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Fargo. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. North Dakota State University Main Campus awarded about 61 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $36,646 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full health & physical education program report for North Dakota State University Main Campus
Winona State University earned the #11 position for health & physical education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $41,742 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,550 to complete this degree.
See the full health & physical education program report for Winona State University
Northwestern College Iowa earned the #12 position for health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Typical student debt for the program is $25,415.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Northwestern College Iowa
Hamline University earned the #13 position for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 14 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Hamline University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Hamline University generally make around $48,679. Hamline University graduates carry a median of $25,530 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for Hamline University
University Of North Dakota came in at #14 for health & physical education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Grand Forks. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 54 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of North Dakota in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from University Of North Dakota earn around $64,378 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,110.
See the full health & physical education program report for University Of North Dakota
Truman State University placed #15 among the best health & physical education schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Kirksville. Truman State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Truman State University awarded about 55 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $26,865 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
See the full health & physical education program report for Truman State University
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #16 among the best health & physical education schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 129 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $42,512 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,420.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Minnesota State University Mankato
South Dakota State University landed the #17 spot for health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. South Dakota State University awarded about 55 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $41,595. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
See the full health & physical education program report for South Dakota State University
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #18 position for health & physical education this year. Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Bethel University Minnesota graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Bethel University Minnesota in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $31,919 in their early career. Bethel University Minnesota graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Bethel University Minnesota
Pittsburg State University earned the #19 position for health & physical education this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. Pittsburg State University graduates 51% of students within six years. Pittsburg State University awarded about 23 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $36,393 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,900 to complete this degree.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Pittsburg State University
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #20 for health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. About 58 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn around $32,480 in the first couple years of their career. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Get the full health & physical education details for Maryville University Of Saint Louis
Doane College Crete placed #21 among the best health & physical education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Crete. About 57% of students finish within six years. Doane College Crete awarded about 17 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $53,500 in their early career. Doane College Crete graduates carry a median of $28,802 in student loans.
Read more about the health & physical education program at Doane College Crete
University Of Northern Iowa placed #22 among the best health & physical education schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. About 56 health & physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,954. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
See the full health & physical education program report for University Of Northern Iowa
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #23 for health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 106 health & physical education students who graduated with this degree at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health & physical education degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $29,761 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,876 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Missouri State University Springfield
Rockhurst University landed the #24 spot for health & physical education this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Kansas City. About 74% of students finish within six years. Rockhurst University awarded about 35 health & physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Health & Physical Education graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in health & physical education from Rockhurst University
Augustana College South Dakota earned the #25 position for health & physical education this year. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Augustana College South Dakota graduates 73% of students within six years. About 50 health & physical education degrees were awarded at Augustana College South Dakota in the most recent year. Graduates of the health & physical education program make about $50,088 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete this degree.
See the full health & physical education program report for Augustana College South Dakota
Rest of the Top 50 Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong health & physical education education:
This list is compiled 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 · 173 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
