Best institutions to study Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
A program that prepares individuals to teach physical education programs and/or to coach sports at various educational levels.
415 U.S. institutions graduated 7,066 Physical Education Teaching and Coaching students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1314, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13), and leads most directly to the Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation (BLS SOC 25-2022).
About Physical Education Teaching and Coaching programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach physical education programs and/or to coach sports at various educational levels.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Physical Education Teaching and Coaching program prepares individuals to teach physical education and coach sports across various educational levels. This program is designed for those who are passionate about promoting physical fitness and well-being among students and athletes.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework typically covers topics in education and training, psychology, and physical health, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to foster student development.
Credentials awarded
What Physical Education Teaching and Coaching graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree4,659 graduates / yr · 328 institutions66%
- Master's degree1,658 graduates / yr · 96 institutions24%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year198 graduates / yr · 32 institutions2.8%
- Associate's degree190 graduates / yr · 25 institutions2.7%
- Award of less than 12 weeks183 graduates / yr · 4 institutions2.6%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate108 graduates / yr · 17 institutions1.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years47 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.7%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship16 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.2%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 11,702 |
| 2013 | 11,672 |
| 2014 | 10,812 |
| 2015 | 10,402 |
| 2016 | 10,163 |
| 2017 | 9,295 |
| 2018 | 8,803 |
| 2019 | 8,569 |
| 2020 | 8,380 |
| 2021 | 8,047 |
| 2022 | 7,428 |
| 2023 | 6,820 |
| 2024 | 6,892 |
| 2025 | 7,066 |
Top 50 institutions for Physical Education Teaching and Coaching, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor's | 409 | 69% | — | $24,882 |
| 2 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 224 | 68% | — | $42,132 |
| 3 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor's | 167 | 71% | — | $35,282 |
| 4 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 143 | 53% | — | $28,746 |
| 5 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 140 | 64% | — | $32,093 |
| 6 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 135 | 65% | — | $27,547 |
| 7 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 125 | 48% | — | $43,273 |
| 8 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 113 | 42% | — | $40,642 |
| 9 | SUNY Brockport Brockport, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 107 | 55% | — | $37,167 |
| 10 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 96 | 88% | — | $41,944 |
| 11 | Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City, IAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 90 | 50% | — | — |
| 12 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 88 | 65% | — | $44,613 |
| 13 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MOPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 87 | 54% | — | $37,057 |
| 14 | University of West Alabama Livingston, ALPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 81 | 35% | — | — |
| 15 | Adelphi University Garden City, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 78 | 67% | $27,326 | $35,814 |
| 16 | William Carey University Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 76 | 60% | $17,205 | $52,790 |
| 17 | North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, IAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 73 | 61% | — | — |
| 18 | Emporia State University Emporia, KSPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 72 | 56% | — | $43,954 |
| 19 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 64 | 65% | — | — |
| 20 | Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 63 | 53% | — | $38,216 |
| 21 | Delta State University Cleveland, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 63 | 48% | — | $34,177 |
| 22 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 62 | 77% | — | $47,698 |
| 23 | Springfield College Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 61 | 74% | $26,290 | — |
| 24 | Virginia State University Petersburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 57 | 39% | — | $26,547 |
| 25 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicMaster'sDoctoralBachelor's | 56 | 69% | — | $40,495 |
| 26 | Manhattanville University Purchase, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 56 | 58% | $23,949 | — |
| 27 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WIPublicBachelor's | 55 | 57% | — | $39,673 |
| 28 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 69% | — | — |
| 29 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 55% | — | $35,764 |
| 30 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 54 | 65% | — | $46,343 |
| 31 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 54 | 53% | — | $58,894 |
| 32 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 52 | 43% | — | $43,308 |
| 33 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, ILPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 52 | 49% | — | $45,184 |
| 34 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 52 | 54% | — | $46,233 |
| 35 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 52 | 79% | — | $40,596 |
| 36 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor's | 50 | 67% | — | $49,969 |
| 37 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicMaster's | 49 | 89% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 48 | 71% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WIPublicBachelor's | 47 | 59% | — | $42,256 |
| 40 | Kean University Union, NJPublicBachelor's | 46 | 47% | — | $40,929 |
| 41 | Augusta University Augusta, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 46 | 49% | — | $54,156 |
| 42 | Copiah - Lincoln Community College Wesson, MSPublicAssociate's | 44 | 50% | — | — |
| 43 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor's | 43 | 74% | — | $30,578 |
| 44 | Idaho State University Pocatello, IDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 43 | 39% | — | $35,629 |
| 45 | University of Wisconsin - Superior Superior, WIPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 42 | 42% | — | — |
| 46 | Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, ALPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 41 | 55% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 40 | 83% | — | $25,777 |
| 48 | University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, NEPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 40 | 58% | — | $42,001 |
| 49 | Utica University Utica, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 40 | 56% | $20,237 | — |
| 50 | Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 39 | 45% | — | $30,513 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 50 states & territories
Where Physical Education Teaching and Coaching graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2022, Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physical Education Teaching and Coaching program often pursue careers as middle school teachers, exercise trainers, or coaches. The job outlook indicates a decline of 2% in this field, with approximately 40,500 annual openings and a median wage of $62,970, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1314
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Educationprimary SOC 25-2022 | $64,370 | -2.0% Decline | ~40,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors SOC 39-9031 | $47,160 | +11.9% Much faster than average | ~74,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Coaches and Scouts SOC 27-2022 | $47,320 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~41,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1193 | $77,270 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Physical Education Teaching and Coaching programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate these objectives to students.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 37 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13).
- Reading Teacher EducationCIP 13.13156,128 graduates / yr305 institutions
- Music Teacher EducationCIP 13.13124,104 graduates / yr447 institutions
- Mathematics Teacher EducationCIP 13.13113,340 graduates / yr347 institutions
- English/CIP 13.1305
Language Arts Teacher Education 2,847 graduates / yr349 institutions - Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.13992,468 graduates / yr113 institutions
- Social Studies Teacher EducationCIP 13.13181,922 graduates / yr219 institutions
- Art Teacher EducationCIP 13.13021,858 graduates / yr258 institutions
- Health Teacher EducationCIP 13.13071,475 graduates / yr75 institutions
- Agricultural Teacher EducationCIP 13.13011,051 graduates / yr68 institutions
- Science Teacher Education/CIP 13.1316
General Science Teacher Education 1,021 graduates / yr160 institutions - History Teacher EducationCIP 13.1328976 graduates / yr128 institutions
- Biology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1322702 graduates / yr145 institutions
- Trade and Industrial Teacher EducationCIP 13.1320695 graduates / yr31 institutions
- School Librarian/CIP 13.1334
School Library Media Specialist 578 graduates / yr34 institutions - Social Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1317498 graduates / yr66 institutions
- Technology Teacher Education/CIP 13.1309
Industrial Arts Teacher Education 389 graduates / yr33 institutions - Technical Teacher EducationCIP 13.1319356 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Spanish Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1330342 graduates / yr96 institutions
- Foreign Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1306264 graduates / yr61 institutions
- Family and Consumer Sciences/CIP 13.1308
Home Economics Teacher Education 261 graduates / yr38 institutions - Drama and Dance Teacher EducationCIP 13.1324242 graduates / yr49 institutions
- Chemistry Teacher EducationCIP 13.1323209 graduates / yr63 institutions
- Computer Teacher EducationCIP 13.1321183 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Business and Innovation/CIP 13.1303
Entrepreneurship Teacher Education 165 graduates / yr38 institutions - Earth Science Teacher EducationCIP 13.1337144 graduates / yr27 institutions
- Physics Teacher EducationCIP 13.1329120 graduates / yr39 institutions
- Environmental EducationCIP 13.1338105 graduates / yr16 institutions
- Health Occupations Teacher EducationCIP 13.132789 graduates / yr10 institutions
- Speech Teacher EducationCIP 13.1331partial data60 graduates / yr8 institutions
- Driver and Safety Teacher EducationCIP 13.1304partial data40 graduates / yr4 institutions
- French Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.132526 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Communication Arts and Literature Teacher EducationCIP 13.1339partial data14 graduates / yr5 institutions
- Sales and Marketing Operations/CIP 13.1310
Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education limited data8 graduates / yr2 institutions - Latin Teacher EducationCIP 13.1333partial data7 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Psychology Teacher EducationCIP 13.1335partial data5 graduates / yr4 institutions
- German Language Teacher EducationCIP 13.1326partial data4 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Geography Teacher EducationCIP 13.1332limited data2 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What degree do I earn from this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, with options for a Master's degree as well.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can become a middle school teacher, exercise trainer, or coach.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2%, with around 40,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Physical Education Teaching and Coaching?+
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching is CIP 13.1314 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.13). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to teach physical education programs and/or to coach sports at various educational levels.
How many institutions offer Physical Education Teaching and Coaching programs?+
415 U.S. institutions reported Physical Education Teaching and Coaching graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states & territories, awarding 7,066 credentials in the year. That is 17.8% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Physical Education Teaching and Coaching graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education occupation, which Physical Education Teaching and Coaching most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,370 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $42,795 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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