by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 98 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #1 spot for value among physical education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for physical education. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $14,314. Physical Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. Set against $14,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for physical education. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,961. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for physical education. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,481 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $33,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #5 place for physical education. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $49,357 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.
The University Of West Florida landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Set against $22,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #8 among the best values for physical education. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $59,601. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #9 among the best values for physical education. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the physical education program here. 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. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos landed the #10 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Students borrow a median of $18,257 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $26,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #11 for value in physical education this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $19,135. Physical Education graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $41,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University placed #13 among the best values for physical education. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Students borrow a median of $21,200 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of East Central University earn a median of $29,616 early in their careers. Set against $21,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #14 for value in physical education this year. 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. Physical Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $26,176 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $25,000. Early-career physical education graduates make about $43,426. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University earned the #16 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #18 among the best values for physical education. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $25,623. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Georgia came in at #19 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,610. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Alabama earned the #20 position for value in physical education this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $29,714. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #21 for value in physical education this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,418. Physical Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $39,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #22 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,661 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $44,941. Set against $25,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $39,958. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University placed #24 among the best values for physical education. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,041 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $49,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $51,162. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for physical education this year:
Explore the best-value physical education schools at other degree levels:
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 · 98 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
