2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Washington
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Eastern Washington University earned the #1 spot for value among physical education schools in Washington. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Central Washington University one of the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,848 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $48,410. Set against $17,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pacific Lutheran University earned it the #3 place for physical education. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $25,536. Physical Education graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $33,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,536 median debt. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Walla Walla University one of the best values for physical education. Set in the suburb of College Place, Walla Walla University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,227 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,635 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Walla Walla University earn a median of $56,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,635 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Gonzaga University one of the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,188 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,897. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
