Physical Education Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Teaching physical fitness, sports, and health in educational settings.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$52K
salary
ROI Payback
5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3%
rate
Physical Education Overview
Teaching physical fitness, sports, and health in educational settings.
Category
Education
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
68%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
12%
Lifetime Premium
$250K
Female Graduates
42%
Physical Education Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$13,500
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$13,500
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$236,500
Lifetime earnings premium ($250,000) minus net degree cost ($13,500)
Physical Education Salary Progression
Common Physical Education Careers
PE Teacher
Athletic Director
Health Teacher
Sports Coach
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Physical Education
#1
Springfield College
#2
Penn State
#3
Ohio State
#4
University of Florida
#5
Indiana University
Related Majors
Physical Education Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Physical Education Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for physical education programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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