Best Health & Physical Education Schools by Graduate Salary & ROI (2026)

529 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score · Updated 2026

These are the top schools offering Health & Physical Education, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. The score combines graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and return on tuition investment. The average Health & Physical Education graduate earns $31,057/yr across 529 schools.

What do Health & Physical Education graduates do? See career paths and salaries →

How an Online Military School Clinched the #1 Spot

American Public University System’s top rank is driven by one number: $51,381 in median earnings, the highest on our list. The school’s focus on active-duty military and veterans creates a direct pipeline into careers where physical fitness is paramount and well-compensated, such as advanced roles in federal law enforcement or specialized corporate wellness. This unique student body, combined with the flexibility of online learning, allows experienced professionals to upskill, leading to salary outcomes that outperform traditional programs.

The ROI Unicorn: A Flagship Brand at a State School Price

The University of Florida-Online's #3 rank and staggering 35.9x ROI isn't a typo; it’s a masterclass in value. By offering its Health and Physical Education degree online, UF provides access to a premier national brand and alumni network for a fraction of the on-campus cost ($15,504 total tuition). Graduates get the prestige and earning power of a top-tier state university without the associated price tag, creating a financial outcome that is nearly impossible to beat.

AI Can't Do a Pushup: The Built-in Job Security of a Physical Career

With an average AI task exposure of just 27.7%, this field is one of the most automation-proof careers you can choose. The core of the job—demonstrating proper exercise form, motivating a client face-to-face, or taping an athlete's ankle—requires a physical presence and human connection that technology cannot replicate. While AI may handle administrative work, the essential, hands-on skills you learn are durable, ensuring your expertise remains valuable in an increasingly automated world.

Why Public Universities Dominate the Top 20

Public universities account for 19 of the top 20 spots for a clear reason: they are built for this. State schools often have a mandate to train educators and public health professionals, creating deep-rooted pipelines into local school districts and community centers. This regional strength, seen in Ohio's five top-20 programs, combined with lower tuition, makes the solid earnings in this field a financially sound investment. You're not just getting a degree; you're plugging into a state-supported career ecosystem.

Programs Ranked
529
Avg Earnings
$31,057/yr
Avg DW Score
38/100
AI Risk
Moderate
28% task exposure

All Health & Physical Education Programs Ranked

Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.

# School DW Score Earnings ROI
1 American Public University System
Charles Town, WV · Private for-profit
60
56–60
$51,381/yr 15.4x
2 Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC · Public
59
56–59
$43,727/yr 13.0x
3 University of Florida-Online
Gainesville, FL · Public
59
57–60
$39,717/yr 35.9x
4 University of Florida
Gainesville, FL · Public
58
55–58
$39,717/yr 21.4x
5 University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT · Public
58
55–58
$37,920/yr 17.3x
6 University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI · Public
56
53–57
$43,506/yr 9.6x
7 North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · Public
56
55–57
$33,717/yr 19.6x
8 Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, OH · Public
56
54–56
$35,165/yr 23.6x
9 Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH · Public
56
54–56
$35,165/yr 23.6x
10 Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, OH · Public
56
54–56
$35,165/yr 23.6x
11 Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH · Public
56
54–56
$35,165/yr 23.6x
12 Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH · Public
56
54–56
$35,165/yr 23.6x
13 Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA · Public
55
53–56
$37,218/yr 14.3x
14 Winona State University
Winona, MN · Public
55
52–55
$41,742/yr 12.9x
15 University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public
55
52–55
$40,702/yr 11.6x
16 Utah Valley University
Orem, UT · Public
55
54–56
$31,905/yr 26.2x
17 University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS · Public
54
52–55
$33,891/yr 14.7x
18 Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · Public
54
51–54
$42,725/yr 12.0x
19 Northern State University
Aberdeen, SD · Public
54
51–54
$40,123/yr 14.2x
20 West Texas A & M University
Canyon, TX · Public
54
51–54
$40,313/yr 13.9x
21 University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Kenosha, WI · Public
54
53–55
$30,655/yr 21.5x
22 California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA · Public
53
52–54
$33,189/yr 20.3x
23 Iowa State University
Ames, IA · Public
53
51–53
$36,492/yr 13.6x
24 Simmons University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofit
53
50–53
$48,876/yr 3.4x
25 South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD · Public
53
50–54
$41,019/yr 13.4x
26 Texas A & M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
53
51–54
$37,044/yr 11.9x
27 The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX · Public
53
51–54
$35,583/yr 13.4x
28 University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Platteville, WI · Public
53
49–53
$46,027/yr 12.8x
29 University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY · Public
53
52–54
$31,326/yr 22.2x
30 California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA · Public
52
51–53
$31,901/yr 19.4x
31 Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA · Public
52
51–53
$33,022/yr 17.9x
32 University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD · Public
52
51–53
$31,403/yr 14.9x
33 University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · Public
52
50–53
$37,703/yr 10.3x
34 Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX · Public
52
50–52
$37,005/yr 14.2x
35 Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX · Public
52
50–53
$36,117/yr 16.4x
36 University of Georgia
Athens, GA · Public
51
50–52
$33,108/yr 13.8x
37 Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, IN · Public
51
49–52
$35,873/yr 12.1x
38 North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Fargo, ND · Public
51
49–52
$36,646/yr 12.5x
39 University of Houston-Clear Lake
Houston, TX · Public
51
49–51
$35,107/yr 16.3x
40 Weber State University
Ogden, UT · Public
51
48–51
$39,059/yr 16.7x
41 James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
51
49–51
$35,955/yr 11.0x
42 Auburn University at Montgomery
Montgomery, AL · Public
50
48–50
$36,579/yr 13.3x
43 Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO · Public
50
47–51
$41,161/yr 11.0x
44 Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA · Public
50
49–51
$29,320/yr 23.6x
45 University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public
50
49–51
$31,998/yr 13.9x
46 University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · Public
50
48–51
$36,419/yr 9.2x
47 Westfield State University
Westfield, MA · Public
50
48–51
$32,456/yr 12.9x
48 University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, NE · Public
50
47–50
$40,683/yr 13.0x
49 Texas Woman's University
Denton, TX · Public
50
49–51
$32,429/yr 15.9x
50 University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI · Public
50
49–51
$29,866/yr 14.8x

Scores calculated using College Scorecard, BLS, and AI task-exposure data. See full methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Health & Physical Education?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score, American Public University System ranks #1 for Health & Physical Education with a score of 60/100 and graduate earnings of $51,381/yr.
How much do Health & Physical Education graduates earn?
Across 529 schools, Health & Physical Education graduates earn an average of $31,057/yr in their first year. The highest-earning program reports $51,381/yr.
Is Health & Physical Education a good major for AI resistance?
Health & Physical Education has an average AI task exposure of 28%, rated "Moderate". This is a relatively AI-resistant field.

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