2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in North Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
For return on investment in physical education, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,401. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Pembroke one of the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $25,623. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Winston Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $26,467. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #4. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $34,219. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina Central University earned it the #5 place for physical education. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $33,770. Physical Education graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $34,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,770 median debt. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Gardner Webb University came in at #6 for value in physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $25,033. Early-career physical education graduates make about $63,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Greensboro College placed #7 among the best values for physical education. Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $21,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $38,134. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Greensboro College admits about 70% of applicants.
Pfeiffer University landed the #8 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,070. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Pfeiffer University earn a median of $26,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #9 spot for physical education value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,013. Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Mars Hill College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,736. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,886 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $43,031. That is a strong return on a $26,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Meredith College placed #11 among the best values for physical education. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $45,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $38,525. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Guilford College came in at #12 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, Guilford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,362. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Guilford College generally make around $28,802. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Guilford College admits about 80% of applicants.
Brevard College placed #13 among the best values for physical education. Brevard College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brevard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,280. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,667. Early-career physical education graduates make about $32,122. That is a strong return on a $26,667 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Campbell University placed #14 among the best values for physical education. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $25,250. Physical Education graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $32,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.
Methodist University came in at #15 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,250. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $30,124 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Methodist University earn a median of $28,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Methodist University admits about 75% of applicants.
Elon University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,958. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,250. Physical Education graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
