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 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in physical education, no school beat Utah Valley University this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $15,252. Early-career physical education graduates make about $31,905. Set against $15,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Laramie County Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $15,309. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,588 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Colorado State University Pueblo one of the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $34,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned it the #5 place for physical education. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $22,292 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $44,861. Set against $22,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Idaho landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $25,000. Physical Education graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $27,484 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #7 position for value in physical education this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $9,281 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $25,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Lewis Clark State College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Students borrow a median of $21,475 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $33,176. Set against $21,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Montana State University Billings landed the #9 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,465 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $48,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Montana Western earned the #10 position for value in physical education this year. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. In-state tuition and fees average $6,669, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,924 early in their careers. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Great Falls landed the #11 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,448. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $104,670. That is a strong return on a $23,847 median debt. University Of Great Falls admits about 50% of applicants.
Rocky Mountain College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,582. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Rocky Mountain College earn a median of $30,025 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rocky Mountain College admits about 70% of applicants.
Boise State University landed the #13 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,524. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $35,617. That is a strong return on a $22,524 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Montana State University landed the #14 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,635. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.