2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in New York
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for physical education in New York. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #3. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Erie Community College earned it the #4 place for physical education. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $12,580. Physical Education graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley 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 Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College earned the #6 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College placed #8 among the best values for physical education. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $13,970. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt.
Rockland Community College came in at #9 for value in physical education this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,862. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $11,167. Early-career physical education graduates make about $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jamestown Community College came in at #10 for value in physical education this year. Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $12,800. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,520. Set against $12,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jefferson Community College came in at #11 for value in physical education this year. Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Watertown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,264, compared with $11,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,804 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,033. Set against $14,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Finger Lakes Community College placed #12 among the best values for physical education. Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Canandaigua. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,258, compared with $8,442 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $16,736 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earned the #13 position for value in physical education this year. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. In-state tuition and fees average $8,772, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Delhi generally make around $48,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Canisius College landed the #14 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $35,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Utica College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Utica. In-state tuition and fees average $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,237 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Utica College earn a median of $53,602 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utica College admits about 92% of applicants.
Adelphi University came in at #16 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $37,106. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University earned the #17 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $34,821 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
