[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 385 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
Finding the Best Value Physical Education School for You
The right physical education school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Physical Education Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physical Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among physical education schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $12,275. Physical Education graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $22,699. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at College Of San Mateo, which ranked #4. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #6 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $29,143 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Citrus College earned the #7 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Pima Community College earned the #8 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
California State University Los Angeles ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $13,750. Physical Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $28,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #11 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #12 position for value in physical education this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $11,196. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #13 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $10,288. Early-career physical education graduates make about $37,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College came in at #14 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College earned the #15 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #19 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College earned the #20 position for value in physical education this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
El Paso Community College earned the #21 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $21,750 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Antelope Valley College came in at #22 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Antelope Valley College earn a median of $50,744 early in their careers. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,282 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $36,525. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College landed the #24 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $5,707. Early-career physical education graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical education this year:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Physical Education. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 385 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 385 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).
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
