2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Leading the list is Lorain County Community College, our #1 best value for physical education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $42,490. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #3 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for physical education. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Harper College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Youngstown State University placed #6 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,393 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $49,025. Set against $26,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for physical education. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $36,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $44,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #9 among the best values for physical education. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,237. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $34,811. That is a strong return on a $23,237 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Western Michigan University came in at #10 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,152. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Northern Michigan University placed #11 among the best values for physical education. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,625. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #12 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Students borrow a median of $26,894 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $26,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #13 for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,644, with out-of-state students paying around $17,603. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Platteville generally make around $46,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Platteville admits about 89% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University landed the #14 spot for physical education value this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $29,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,137. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #16 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $29,866. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in physical education this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,640. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
North Park University earned the #18 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,495 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of North Park University earn a median of $30,165 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,495 median debt. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Aquinas College Michigan came in at #19 for value in physical education this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,218. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Evansville landed the #20 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,172. Students borrow a median of $24,031 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $34,809. Set against $24,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Central Michigan University landed the #21 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $36,910. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Monmouth College landed the #22 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,922 in tuition and fees. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Monmouth College generally make around $36,675. Set against $25,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Monmouth College admits about 91% of applicants.
Illinois State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $37,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Valparaiso University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $51,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Spring Arbor University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,014. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $28,268. Early-career physical education graduates make about $53,080. That is a strong return on a $28,268 median debt. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical education:
Narrow Physical Education Schools by State
More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
