2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 50 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Northeast Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $11,937. Physical Education graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Ozarks one of the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Early-career physical education graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,661 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Barton County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,815. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $36,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn University landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,717 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $25,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,717 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,500. Physical Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,572 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #9 among the best values for physical education. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $32,802. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Park University placed #10 among the best values for physical education. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. 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.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #11 spot for physical education value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Black Hills State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. 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. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,000. Physical Education graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $42,789 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #13 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,420. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $42,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #14 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, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Northern State University earned the #15 position for value in physical education this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. Students from in state pay about $8,845 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,424. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Mary ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,356 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 University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Lindenwood University placed #17 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $35,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Tabor College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,058. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Evangel University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,548. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $42,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Jamestown College landed the #20 spot for physical education value this year. Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Jamestown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,990. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career physical education graduates make about $59,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jamestown College admits about 88% of applicants.
St Catherine University came in at #21 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $60,427. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Grand View University came in at #22 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $43,236. Set against $26,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Briar Cliff University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,642. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $61,105. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rockhurst University came in at #25 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,966. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
