2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Southwest Region
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 South Texas College this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $22,699 early in their careers. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $5,500. Early-career physical education graduates make about $21,750. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Texas College earned it the #5 place for physical education. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $8,691. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Coastal Bend College landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Beeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, while out-of-state students pay about $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the physical education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College placed #7 among the best values for physical education. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $10,941. Early-career physical education graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Howard College came in at #8 for value in physical education this year. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $14,242. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $41,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Odessa College placed #9 among the best values for physical education. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Redlands Community College landed the #10 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the town of El Reno, Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,385 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,951. Students borrow a median of $14,682 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earned the #11 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, with out-of-state students paying around $20,190. Early-career physical education graduates make about $30,136. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Paris Junior College landed the #12 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,846 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Western Oklahoma State College earned the #13 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $9,758. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Western Oklahoma State College earn a median of $39,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelina College placed #14 among the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,430, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $7,828. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hill College placed #15 among the best values for physical education. Set in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,862. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,212. Set against $12,302 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western New Mexico University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,425. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University landed the #17 spot for physical education value this year. Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public school located in the rural area of Goodwell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,092, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,249 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University generally make around $53,151. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.
East Central University landed the #18 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,200 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of East Central University earn a median of $29,616 early in their careers. Set against $21,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Arizona Western College placed #19 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Early-career physical education graduates make about $44,895.
Central Texas College earned the #20 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tyler Junior College earned the #21 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $14,869. Physical Education graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College came in at #22 for value in physical education this year. Located in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, with out-of-state students paying around $11,370. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $10,875. Early-career physical education graduates make about $43,408. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Arizona College placed #23 among the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, compared with $9,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,781. Physical Education graduates of Eastern Arizona College earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Connors State College earned the #24 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Warner, Connors State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,530. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $16,071 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $47,964. Set against $16,071 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Temple College earned the #25 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,524 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $16,617 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical education this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
