BS Health and Physical Education at UGA: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

Bachelor of Science [B.S] Health and Physical Education at University of Georgia is a four-year undergraduate programme designed to prepare educators and health professionals. The degree requires 120 credit hours and is available for Fall and Spring intakes. International students pay US$24,150 annually in tuition plus US$3,800 in mandatory fees (INR 23,00,000 and INR 3,62,000 respectively). A minimum GPA of 3.2 and TOEFL 79 (or IELTS 6.5) are required. The programme runs on the F-1 visa pathway with standard 12-month OPT eligibility post-graduation.

This programme trains educators and wellness specialists to lead in schools, universities, and health organizations. The course combines exercise science, pedagogy, and health promotion with hands-on teaching practicum in Athens, Georgia. Graduates qualify for teacher certification and clinical exercise roles. The ideal applicant has strong science foundations, leadership experience, and a passion for health education delivery to diverse student populations.

• Affordable education at a top 25 US public university with moderate cost of living and strong on-campus employment opportunities.
• Degree leads to immediate teacher certification eligibility and clinical exercise specialist roles across 50 US states.
• Indian graduates can work up to 20 hours weekly on campus during studies and access 12-month OPT post-graduation for US-based employment.

Also Check: University of Georgia Admission Process

University of Georgia Health and Physical Education Fees and Living Costs 2027

The total annual cost of attendance for international undergraduates is US$32,500 (INR 30,97,000). This includes tuition, mandatory fees, accommodation, meals, and course materials. Costs remain stable year-over-year with minor adjustments for inflation.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of US$ 1 = INR 95.21 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

• Tuition covers classroom instruction, laboratory access, and use of university facilities including the Ramsey Center fitness complex.
• Mandatory fees include student health insurance, technology access, recreational facilities, and student activity programming.
• International students cannot apply for state residency during their course; tuition rates remain constant for all four years.

Cost of Living in Athens for Health and Physical Education Students

Tip for Indian Students: Athens costs 30% below the US national average; student housing near campus costs 20-25% less than major cities. On-campus employment at US$15-18/hour covers monthly expenses comfortably.

Read More: Cost of Living in the USA for Indian Students

University of Georgia Health and Physical Education Admission 2027

The university accepts international students for Fall and Spring intakes with a 50% acceptance rate. Spring intake is limited and highly competitive; plan for Fall admission. Application review is rolling; early submission strengthens candidacy.

University of Georgia is globally ranked 156th and 25th in the USA for overall research excellence (QS 2025). The institution is a leading land-grant research university with strong faculty and research infrastructure across all disciplines.

English Language Proficiency for International Students

The university accepts multiple English proficiency tests with specific score requirements for international applicants.

• TOEFL and IELTS are the preferred tests; Duolingo is accepted but less common. TOEFL preparation requires 8-12 weeks for non-native English speakers in India.
• IELTS band 6.5 is achievable with 6-8 weeks intensive preparation; this score sits 0.5 bands above the minimum and is safer for admission committees.
• Indian applicants often achieve TOEFL 79-85 within 10 weeks of structured coaching; scores below 79 will require re-testing or supplementary English coursework.

Honest Take: The TOEFL minimum is slightly below international norms; submitting IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL 85+ dramatically improves scholarship odds and removes any language concerns from admissions review.

University of Georgia Health and Physical Education Application Process 2027

Apply directly via the Common Application or University of Georgia admissions portal. International applicants must submit WES credential evaluation alongside standard documents. Processing timelines are strict; plan 16 weeks ahead of your target intake.

• WES credential evaluation is mandatory and takes 10-12 weeks; register immediately after completing high school examinations.
• The Common App charges a single application fee (approximately US$65) regardless of programme; this applies to Health and Physical Education.
• Admissions decisions are sent by email within 4-6 weeks of a complete application (all documents received, including WES evaluation).

Application Tip: Complete and submit your application 6-8 weeks before the deadline to ensure WES evaluation processes in time. Late submissions (within 2 weeks of deadline) risk delays if WES processing overlaps the admissions review period.

University of Georgia Health and Physical Education Scholarships 2027

Merit scholarships for international undergraduates range from US$3,000 to US$18,000 annually (INR 2,85,630 to INR 17,13,780). These awards are non-need-based and recognise academic excellence, test scores, and leadership. Approximately 40% of admitted international students receive merit aid.

• Scholarships are renewable annually if you maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and make satisfactory progress toward graduation.
• Merit awards do NOT require a separate application; eligible students are automatically considered based on admission credentials.
• Combining a US$12,000 merit scholarship with on-campus employment (US$15/hour, 15 hours/week) covers tuition, fees, and living costs in full.

Scholarship Reality: With a 3.5+ GPA and TOEFL 85+, Indian applicants have a strong case for US$6,000–12,000 annually. This cuts four-year costs from INR 1.24 Cr to INR 1.08 Cr. Apply early; merit aid pools deplete by March.

Check Out: US Scholarships for Indian Students

University of Georgia Health and Physical Education Salary and Graduate Outcomes 2026

Graduates pursue careers as high school physical education teachers, health educators, exercise physiologists, and athletic trainers. Average starting salary for physical education teachers is US$38,000–45,000 annually (INR 36,17,980–42,84,450). Many graduates also pursue Master’s degrees in Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, or Exercise Science.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024; salaries reflect 2026 baseline before taxation and benefits.

• Take-home salary varies by state; Georgia teachers retain approximately 75% after federal and state income taxes (vs. 70% in high-tax states like California or New York).
• Public school teachers receive pension contributions (8-10% of salary), health insurance, and summer employment opportunities (coach summer camps at US$3,000–6,000 per summer).
• Certified fitness professionals add US$2,000–5,000 annually via weekend certifications (NASM-CPT, ACE Health Coach); this accelerates career progression and salary growth.

ROI Reality: Four-year cost is INR 1.24 Cr; first-year salary is INR 36–42 Lakhs. With teacher pension benefits and health insurance, the ROI is 3.2 years for public school roles. Private international schools in India and UAE offer US$55,000–75,000 for PE teachers with US degrees.

Read More: Post-Graduation Work Visa and OPT for US Graduates

United States Visa Pathway for Health and Physical Education Graduates

International students study on the F-1 visa, which permits full-time enrolment and 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation. The Health and Physical Education degree is not STEM-designated, so standard OPT duration applies. Graduates may extend work authorisation through H-1B visa sponsorship or pursue permanent residency pathways after securing skilled employment.

• F-1 visa is valid for the duration of your studies plus 60 days of grace period after graduation. On-campus employment (up to 20 hours/week during semester) is permitted without additional authorisation.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides 12 months of full-time work authorisation post-graduation. Teaching roles (public schools, private international schools, universities) and fitness programme coordinator roles are OPT-eligible.
• H-1B visa sponsorship is available for education and wellness management roles (middle and high school PE teacher, athletic director, health programme manager). Indian graduates typically secure H-1B sponsorship within 2-3 years of OPT work experience.
• Spouse can accompany you on F-2 visa and may work under specific conditions (after 2024 policy clarifications, limited work authorisation now applies for F-2 dependents in certain sectors). Children attend US schools at international student tuition rates.

Visa Reality: Your F-1 visa and 12-month OPT cover the first 18 months post-graduation. If you complete a teacher certification programme or secure a Master’s degree during OPT, you qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension (if the Master’s is STEM-designated). H-1B lottery odds are 5:1 annually, but most PE educators in US schools are H-1B eligible if they transition to athletic director or international school roles.

Also Check: F-1 Student Visa Process and Requirements for India

University of Georgia Bachelor of Science Health and Physical Education Ranking 2025

The University of Georgia is not subject-ranked for Health, Physical Education, or Kinesiology by major ranking agencies (QS, THE, ARWU, US News). However, the institution holds strong standing in education-related disciplines within the College of Education structure. The university’s overall global rank is 156th (QS 2025) and 25th in the United States, placing it in the top 1% of research institutions globally.

• The health sciences and education programmes are accredited by professional bodies (CAEPEP for education teacher preparation programmes), ensuring curricular quality and graduate employment outcomes alignment with US standards.
• Kinesiology and exercise science at University of Georgia employ research-active faculty who publish in top-tier journals and mentor undergraduate research projects.
• The programme benefits from the university’s overall research funding (over US$700 million annually) and partnerships with Georgia hospitals, K-12 school systems, and international universities.

Key Insight: While Health and Physical Education is not separately ranked, the university’s strong overall reputation (25th in USA) and accredited education credentials assure employers and graduate schools of degree quality. International hiring of PE teachers shows no ranking disadvantage; what matters is the US accreditation and teaching certification eligibility.