Best Schools for Health and Physical Education/Fitness

Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates earn a median of $29,758 within two years of graduation, ranking #225 out of 292 tracked majors — 16% below the median across all fields. There are 545 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 34,058 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: National University graduates earn $50,856 while Manhattan University graduates earn $16,008 — a $34,848 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates see an average 7% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

545
Schools
$29,758
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#225
of 292 Majors
34,058
Graduates

Public vs Private: Health and Physical Education/Fitness

Public (267 schools)
$30,634
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (262 schools)
$28,746
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Health and Physical Education/Fitness, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Health and Physical Education/Fitness by State

Top Health and Physical Education/Fitness Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
N

National University

San Diego, CA · Private

$50,856
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#2
S

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, TX · Private

$49,625
2yr Earnings
1yr: $45,216
Grads: 47
Acceptance: 61.2%
#3
U

University of Dayton

Dayton, OH · Private

$43,798
2yr Earnings
1yr: $31,458
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 61.7%
#4
T

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX · Public

$43,798
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 84.5%
#5
D

Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND · Public

$42,682
2yr Earnings
1yr: $43,445
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 60.1%
#6
U

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

$42,495
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,559
Grads: 191
Acceptance: 17.9%
#7
S

Simpson College

Indianola, IA · Private

$42,012
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,401
Grads: 40
Acceptance: 88.9%
#8
L

Louisiana Christian University

Pineville, LA · Private

$41,565
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,537
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 83.8%
#9
C

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, SC · Public

$41,342
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,673
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 98.1%
#10
F

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL · Public

$40,485
2yr Earnings
1yr: $28,861
Grads: 27
Acceptance: 76.8%
#11
L

Luther College

Decorah, IA · Private

$39,927
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 73.3%
#12
M

Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX · Public

$39,909
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 87.4%
#13
N

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public

$39,729
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,704
Grads: 18
Acceptance: 96.0%
#14
U

University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Amherst, MA · Public

$39,523
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,519
Grads: 168
Acceptance: 57.8%
#15
U

University of Florida

Gainesville, FL · Public

$39,489
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,008
Grads: 102
Acceptance: 24.0%
#16
U

University of Florida-Online

Gainesville, FL · Public

$39,489
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,008
Grads: 102
Acceptance: 64.4%
#17
E

Endicott College

Beverly, MA · Private

$39,369
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,186
Grads: 71
Acceptance: 72.3%
#18
B

Buena Vista University

Storm Lake, IA · Private

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,756
Grads: 34
Acceptance: 71.8%
#19
A

Augustana University

Sioux Falls, SD · Private

$39,009
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 59.3%
#20
T

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Kingsville, TX · Public

$39,009
2yr Earnings
1yr: $27,909
Grads: 70
Acceptance: 92.3%
#21
A

Ashford University

San Diego, CA ·

$38,878
2yr Earnings
1yr: $37,247
Grads: 87
Acceptance: N/A
#22
U

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR · Public

$38,491
2yr Earnings
1yr: $26,820
Grads: 70
Acceptance: 90.5%
#23
A

Ashland University

Ashland, OH · Private

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,687
Grads: 26
Acceptance: 80.6%
#24
S

Southern Nazarene University

Bethany, OK ·

$38,289
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#25
U

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Houston, TX · Public

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $35,251
Grads: 53
Acceptance: 75.3%
#26
A

American Public University System

Charles Town, WV ·

$38,289
2yr Earnings
1yr: $47,616
Grads: 203
Acceptance: N/A
#27
U

University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public

$38,161
2yr Earnings
1yr: $38,046
Grads: 157
Acceptance: 61.5%
#28
D

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA · Private

$37,928
2yr Earnings
1yr: $36,696
Grads: 30
Acceptance: 77.5%
#29
S

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD · Public

$37,856
2yr Earnings
1yr: $39,627
Grads: 29
Acceptance: 98.7%
#30
I

Ithaca College

Ithaca, NY · Private

$37,748
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,784
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 69.9%
#31
I

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$37,593
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,695
Grads: 55
Acceptance: 89.0%
#32
C

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Private

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,518
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 72.1%
#33
G

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,209
Grads: 36
Acceptance: 88.8%
#34
C

Concordia University-Wisconsin

Mequon, WI · Private

$37,208
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,518
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 67.5%
#35
T

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX · Public

$37,125
2yr Earnings
1yr: $34,621
Grads: 144
Acceptance: 94.2%
#36
S

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH · Private

$36,992
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,329
Grads: 73
Acceptance: 96.1%
#37
U

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA · Private

$36,848
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,329
Grads: 32
Acceptance: 50.8%
#38
D

Dordt University

Sioux Center, IA · Private

$36,848
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 71.2%
#39
L

Lasell University

Newton, MA · Private

$36,717
2yr Earnings
1yr: $25,736
Grads: 56
Acceptance: 82.3%
#40
U

University of Massachusetts-Boston

Boston, MA · Public

$36,717
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,849
Grads: 178
Acceptance: 83.0%
#41
L

Longwood University

Farmville, VA · Public

$36,668
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 84.8%
#42
U

University of Maryland-College Park

College Park, MD · Public

$36,533
2yr Earnings
1yr: $30,536
Grads: 151
Acceptance: 44.8%
#43
U

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public

$36,488
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,230
Grads: 113
Acceptance: 77.0%
#44
S

Seton Hall University

South Orange, NJ · Private

$36,455
2yr Earnings
1yr: $42,237
Grads: 38
Acceptance: 78.9%
#45
J

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA · Public

$36,368
2yr Earnings
1yr: $33,807
Grads: 166
Acceptance: 76.3%
#46
T

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

$36,355
2yr Earnings
1yr: $32,938
Grads: 429
Acceptance: 63.2%
#47
S

Stetson University

DeLand, FL · Private

$36,312
2yr Earnings
1yr: $24,049
Grads: 23
Acceptance: 86.4%
#48
M

Maryville University of Saint Louis

Saint Louis, MO · Private

$36,312
2yr Earnings
1yr: $40,580
Grads: 29
Acceptance: 93.7%
#49
S

Seattle University

Seattle, WA · Private

$36,312
2yr Earnings
1yr: $29,727
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 76.0%
#50
A

Avila University

Kansas City, MO · Private

$36,141
2yr Earnings
1yr: $19,820
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 59.5%

Showing top 50 of 545 schools. View all or filter by state above.

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Health and Physical Education/Fitness?
National University ranks #1 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness with median graduate earnings of $50,856 within two years. There are 545 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates earn?
Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates earn an average of $29,758 within two years of graduation. This is 16% below the median across all majors. Earnings range from $16,008 to $50,856 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Health and Physical Education/Fitness program?
The average acceptance rate across Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs is 77.2%. The most selective program is at Rice University with a 7.9% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Health and Physical Education/Fitness?
Private Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs average $28,746 in early earnings vs $30,634 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders.

Get Health and Physical Education/Fitness Career Insights

We're building major-specific salary reports with ROI by school. Be the first to get yours.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.