2027 Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Physical Education Teaching & Coaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/physical-education-teaching-and-coaching/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools to find the best return on investment for physical education teaching & coaching students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical education teaching & coaching degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools
For return on investment in physical education teaching & coaching, no school beat Indiana State University this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $45,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $21,182. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Set against $21,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $50,021. That is a strong return on a $28,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education teaching & coaching, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Students looking for strong value in physical education teaching & coaching will find it at Western Illinois University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $50,756. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #6 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,746 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $51,839. Set against $26,746 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $25,250. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $77,040. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #8 among the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. In-state tuition and fees average $8,812, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of University Of Wisconsin Superior earn a median of $45,219 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Superior admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #9 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin River Falls generally make around $43,296. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University landed the #10 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $26,751. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #11 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $63,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $49,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Michigan University came in at #13 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $48,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #14 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $25,719 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $40,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #15 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $51,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #16 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $49,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University placed #17 among the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $26,904. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Cleveland State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $49,648. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Michigan University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $48,382. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $23,250. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,282 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #21 among the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $25,225. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $43,242. That is a strong return on a $25,225 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #22 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $46,124 early in their careers. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $45,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #24 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $49,077. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Oakland City University landed the #25 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Oakland City University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Oakland City. Students from in state pay about $27,900 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $62,655. That is a strong return on a $25,266 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical education teaching & coaching:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
