2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Tennessee
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
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2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Tennessee
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Leading the list is Austin Peay State University, our #1 best value for physical education in Tennessee. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Austin Peay State University earn a median of $37,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,938. Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $30,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #3 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,500. Early-career physical education graduates make about $36,462. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #4 place for physical education. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $40,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bethel University Tennessee earned it the #5 place for physical education. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,712. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $29,677. Early-career physical education graduates make about $31,638. That is a strong return on a $29,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Martin Methodist College earned the #6 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,924. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,125. Physical Education graduates of Martin Methodist College earn a median of $28,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Tennessee Wesleyan College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,814. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $29,750. Physical Education graduates of Tennessee Wesleyan College earn a median of $58,859 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Tennessee Wesleyan College admits about 69% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University placed #8 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $22,036 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $34,043. That is a strong return on a $22,036 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University landed the #9 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $47,696 early in their careers. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $34,855. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Carson Newman College earned the #11 position for value in physical education this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. In-state tuition and fees average $34,700. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $25,625. Physical Education graduates of Carson Newman College earn a median of $25,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Bryan College Dayton came in at #12 for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,077. Physical Education graduates of Bryan College Dayton earn a median of $27,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,077 median debt.
Milligan College placed #13 among the best values for physical education. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,601. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Freed Hardeman University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,620. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University came in at #15 for value in physical education this year. Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $21,122. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,819 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
