2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Missouri

[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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
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2027 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Missouri Western State University tops our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools in Missouri. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #2 place for physical education. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Students borrow a median of $22,572 to complete the physical education program here. 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. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,876 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $29,761. Set against $22,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Evangel University came in at #4 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,548. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,876 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Lindenwood University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,600. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the physical education program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #6 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. 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.
Park University earned the #7 position for value in physical education this year. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,576 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $28,945. That is a strong return on a $27,576 median debt.
Rockhurst University placed #8 among the best values for physical education. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Students from in state pay about $44,966 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career physical education graduates make about $70,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.