2027 Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in Iowa

[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 11 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 Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education teaching & coaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #1 spot for value among physical education teaching & coaching schools in Iowa. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $35,742. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Northern Iowa one of the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $52,307 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes North Iowa Area Community College one of the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $12,043. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Buena Vista University earned it the #4 place for physical education teaching & coaching. Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Storm Lake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $29,008. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $44,551 early in their careers. Set against $29,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical education teaching & coaching will find it at Upper Iowa University, which ranked #5. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $27,000. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $51,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Simpson College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Set in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,656. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $27,000. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $44,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Simpson College admits about 86% of applicants.
William Penn University earned the #7 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,750 in tuition and fees. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $28,341 in student loans. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $39,727. Set against $28,341 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Dubuque earned the #8 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,095. Students borrow a median of $27,204 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $53,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $27,528. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Northwestern College Iowa came in at #10 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $25,415. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College earned the #11 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $26,250 in tuition and fees. 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 Wartburg College generally make around $45,677. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.