2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 Valley City State University, our #1 best value for physical education in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Haskell Indian Nations University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $600. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Mayville State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,237. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Set against $27,464 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for physical education. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $25,661 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $42,812. That is a strong return on a $25,661 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Missouri Western State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,815 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $36,557. Set against $24,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Washburn University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,717. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $25,679. That is a strong return on a $27,717 median debt.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $32,802. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #9 spot for physical education value this year. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,572. Physical Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #10 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,876. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $29,761. That is a strong return on a $22,876 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Bellevue University earned the #11 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $33,229. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.
Northern State University landed the #12 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,500. Physical Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $40,424 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Black Hills State University landed the #13 spot for physical education value this year. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,916, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $42,789. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary came in at #14 for value in physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,000. Physical Education graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,420 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $42,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Nebraska Wesleyan University earned the #16 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,572. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Physical Education graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $28,791 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #17 for value in physical education this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Jamestown College earned the #18 position for value in physical education this year. Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jamestown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,990. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Jamestown College earn a median of $59,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University landed the #19 spot for physical education value this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. Set against $24,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Graceland University Lamoni earned the #20 position for value in physical education this year. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. Students from in state pay about $19,848 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Physical Education graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $22,051 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Graceland University Lamoni admits about 81% of applicants.
Tabor College landed the #21 spot for physical education value this year. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $36,200 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $54,058 ten years out. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University landed the #22 spot for physical education value this year. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $28,000. Physical Education graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University placed #23 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,428 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $60,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Grand View University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $43,236 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Park University placed #25 among the best values for physical education. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,576. Physical Education graduates of Park University earn a median of $28,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical education:
Narrow Physical Education Schools by State
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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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
