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2027 Best Physical Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

18 Colleges in the United States
474 Physical Education Degrees Awarded
$39,305 Avg Early-Career Salary

Physical Education is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best physical education schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Physical Education in the The Plains States Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Physical Education

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Missouri Columbia the best school in the country for a degree in physical education. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 69 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818. Read more about the physical education program at University Of Missouri Columbia

2

University Of Northern Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 89 physical education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $37,954 in their early career. University Of Northern Iowa graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from University Of Northern Iowa

3

Students looking for a strong physical education program will find one at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 67 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Minnesota State University Mankato earn around $42,512 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,420 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for Minnesota State University Mankato

4

Missouri State University Springfield is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in physical education, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 physical education degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Missouri State University Springfield earn around $29,761 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,876. See the full physical education program report for Missouri State University Springfield

5

Valley City State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Valley City State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Valley City State University generally make around $48,241. Typical student debt for the program is $25,074. More information about a degree in physical education from Valley City State University

6

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #6 for physical education this year. This large public university is located in the city of Omaha. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 10 physical education degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $42,812 in their early career. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates carry a median of $25,661 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for University Of Nebraska At Omaha

7
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University placed #7 among the best physical education schools. Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bellevue. About 33% of students finish within six years. About 20 physical education degrees were awarded at Bellevue University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Bellevue University earn around $33,229 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete this degree. Read more about the physical education program at Bellevue University

8
Tabor College crest
Tabor College
Hillsboro, KS

Tabor College placed #8 among the best physical education schools. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Tabor College graduates 34% of students within six years. Tabor College awarded about 13 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the physical education program at Tabor College

9

Bethel College North Newton ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best physical education schools. Bethel College North Newton is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of North Newton. About 37% of students finish within six years. About 15 physical education degrees were awarded at Bethel College North Newton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Bethel College North Newton generally make around $51,624. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in physical education from Bethel College North Newton

10

Southeast Missouri State University landed the #10 spot for physical education this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 13 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Southeast Missouri State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Southeast Missouri State University earn around $34,638 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,572 to complete this degree. See the full physical education program report for Southeast Missouri State University

11
St Catherine University crest
St Catherine University
Saint Paul, MN

St Catherine University placed #11 among the best physical education schools. St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. St Catherine University graduates 61% of students within six years. St Catherine University awarded about 19 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $60,427 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. Read more about the physical education program at St Catherine University

12

Washburn University placed #12 among the best physical education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Topeka. About 44% of students finish within six years. Washburn University awarded about 36 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Washburn University earn around $25,679 in the first couple years of their career. Washburn University graduates carry a median of $27,717 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from Washburn University

13
Evangel University crest
Evangel University
Springfield, MO

Evangel University earned the #13 position for physical education this year. Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Evangel University graduates 65% of students within six years. Evangel University awarded about 12 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $42,039 in their early career. Evangel University graduates carry a median of $24,876 in student loans. Get the full physical education details for Evangel University

14

Missouri Western State University landed the #14 spot for physical education this year. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Missouri Western State University graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 physical education students who graduated with this degree at Missouri Western State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Missouri Western State University earn around $36,557 in the first couple years of their career. Missouri Western State University graduates carry a median of $24,815 in student loans. See the full physical education program report for Missouri Western State University

15

Northern State University came in at #15 for physical education this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Northern State University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 29 physical education degrees were awarded at Northern State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their physical education degree from Northern State University earn around $40,424 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Read more about the physical education program at Northern State University

16

Upper Iowa University placed #16 among the best physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Upper Iowa University graduates 33% of students within six years. About 10 physical education degrees were awarded at Upper Iowa University in the most recent year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $35,361 in their early career. Upper Iowa University graduates carry a median of $25,641 in student loans. Get the full physical education details for Upper Iowa University

17

Haskell Indian Nations University landed the #17 spot for physical education this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. Haskell Indian Nations University awarded about 14 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $24,914 in their early career. Get the full physical education details for Haskell Indian Nations University

18

Bethany College Kansas landed the #18 spot for physical education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Lindsborg. Roughly 36% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bethany College Kansas awarded about 10 physical education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the physical education program make about $28,881 in their early career. Bethany College Kansas graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in physical education from Bethany College Kansas

View All Physical Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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