2027 Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in Illinois
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical education teaching & coaching education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for physical education teaching & coaching students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in Illinois
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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $21,182 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education teaching & coaching, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,746 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $51,839. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
A rank of #4 makes Northeastern Illinois University one of the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $77,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $51,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University earned the #6 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $24,507 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #7 among the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,149 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $50,102. Set against $24,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College came in at #8 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Trinity Christian College generally make around $44,538. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University placed #9 among the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $27,000. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $51,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University came in at #10 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $43,936. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Elmhurst College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,955. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $46,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University earned the #12 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,740. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $24,362. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Mckendree University generally make around $51,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Depaul University landed the #13 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $26,910. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $52,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,910 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
More Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Rankings
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
