by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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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.
Berea College earned the #1 spot for value among physical education schools in Kentucky. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Georgetown College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Georgetown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Georgetown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,840. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Georgetown College earn a median of $37,620 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of The Cumberlands one of the best values for physical education. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,630 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $31,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at University Of Louisville, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,053. Early-career physical education graduates make about $36,995. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Union College Kentucky, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Barbourville, Union College Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,946. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,852. Physical Education graduates of Union College Kentucky earn a median of $54,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Thomas More College landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Crestview Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,025. Students borrow a median of $31,608 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Thomas More College earn a median of $57,440 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.