[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 266 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for physical education in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $13,629. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for physical education. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $28,687. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $17,085. Physical Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $25,414 early in their careers. Set against $17,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Fresno ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,314 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,314 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton earned the #7 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $14,481. Physical Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,481 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Utah Valley University earned the #8 position for value in physical education this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,252 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $31,905. Set against $15,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge came in at #9 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,952. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,129 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $31,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Berea College landed the #11 spot for physical education value this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
California State University East Bay landed the #12 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $18,250. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $33,189. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, compared with $20,190 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates of University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earn a median of $30,136 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 66%.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #14 position for value in physical education this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,318 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $25,349 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $31,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,551 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos landed the #17 spot for physical education value this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $18,257. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $26,203. Set against $18,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
American Public University System earned the #18 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $19,312. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $51,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of West Florida came in at #19 for value in physical education this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,188 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $28,364 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Western New Mexico University landed the #21 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,425. Early-career physical education graduates make about $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #22 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $43,506 early in their careers. Set against $19,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Weber State University placed #23 among the best values for physical education. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $19,588. Physical Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,588 median debt.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,102 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Francisco State University placed #25 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $26,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical education:
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 · 266 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 266 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical education education at a price that pays off.
