Best Health and Physical Education/Fitness Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 19 colleges offering Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 933 recent graduates. Graduates earn $29,642 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $29,758.

School choice matters significantly: Illinois State University graduates earn $37,593 while Olivet Nazarene University graduates earn $20,140 — a $17,453 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

19
Schools in IL
$29,642
IL Avg. Earnings
$29,758
National Avg.
545
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Health and Physical Education/Fitness in Illinois

Public Schools (8)
$31,160
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (11)
$28,539
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Health and Physical Education/Fitness Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

#1
I

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$37,593
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,695
Graduates: 55
Acceptance: 89.0%
#2
Q

Quincy University

Quincy, IL · Private

$33,993
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,299
Graduates: 16
Acceptance: 49.9%
#3
M

McKendree University

Lebanon, IL · Private

$32,925
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 63.9%
#4
N

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$32,467
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,525
Graduates: 90
Acceptance: 70.5%
#5
U

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$32,284
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $24,883
Graduates: 76
Acceptance: 43.7%
#6
N

North Central College

Naperville, IL · Private

$32,124
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,299
Graduates: 87
Acceptance: 58.3%
#7
M

Monmouth College

Monmouth, IL · Private

$31,708
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,325
Graduates: 32
Acceptance: 86.6%
#8
W

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$31,042
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,447
Graduates: 58
Acceptance: 75.0%
#9
E

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, IL · Private

$30,228
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $27,486
Graduates: 52
Acceptance: 75.7%
#10
N

North Park University

Chicago, IL · Private

$30,228
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $36,833
Graduates: 16
Acceptance: 72.8%
#11
E

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$29,793
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $31,035
Graduates: 128
Acceptance: 67.8%
#12
S

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$29,413
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $23,792
Graduates: 65
Acceptance: 97.2%
#13
U

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$28,960
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $29,899
Graduates: 111
Acceptance: 78.5%
#14
S

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$27,729
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $30,845
Graduates: 67
Acceptance: 90.4%
#15
M

Millikin University

Decatur, IL · Private

$27,681
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $28,165
Graduates: 34
Acceptance: 54.0%
#16
L

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL · Private

$26,353
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 72.7%
#17
B

Benedictine University

Lisle, IL · Private

$25,194
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $34,702
Graduates: 23
Acceptance: 77.2%
#18
C

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$23,351
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 91.2%
#19
O

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, IL · Private

$20,140
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $25,732
Graduates: 23
Acceptance: 66.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Health and Physical Education/Fitness in Illinois?
Illinois State University ranks #1 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $37,593 within two years of graduation. There are 19 schools offering Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs in the state.
How much do Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates earn in Illinois?
Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates in Illinois earn an average of $29,642 within two years of graduation. This is near the national average of $29,758 for this major.
What is the hardest Health and Physical Education/Fitness school to get into in Illinois?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is the most selective Health and Physical Education/Fitness program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 43.7%. The average acceptance rate across Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs in the state is 72.7%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Health and Physical Education/Fitness in Illinois?
In Illinois, private Health and Physical Education/Fitness programs produce average earnings of $28,539 vs $31,160 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 8 public and 11 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

All colleges in Illinois →

Health and Physical Education/Fitness in Other States

Get Health and Physical Education/Fitness Career Insights

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

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.