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2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools

540 Ranked Colleges
67,146 Degrees Awarded
$17,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Phys Ed Schools

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Phys Ed Schools” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 67,146 people earned their degree in health and physical education, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, health and physical education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,386 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Phys Ed Schools” ranking looked at 540 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in health and physical education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality health and physical education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the health and physical education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Phys Ed Schools” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Phys Ed Schools

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Phys Ed Schools.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Health & Physical Education

1
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

Out of the 540 schools in the Best Value Phys Ed Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, American Public University System landed the #1 spot on the list. American Public University System is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 683 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

American Military University also took the #8 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend American Military University is $10,563 for Phys Ed students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at American Military University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Phys Ed Schools. BYU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Provo, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 157 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BYU is also in the top of our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,474 for Phys Ed students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Health & Physical Education Report

3
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Dakota State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Phys Ed Schools. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 29 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, South Dakota State is also in the top of our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $18,578 for phys ed students per year to attend South Dakota State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at South Dakota State University

4

Out of the 540 schools in the Best Value Phys Ed Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Concordia University, Irvine landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Irvine, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 438 degrees to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Irvine also claimed a top spot on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It costs about $27,201 for Phys Ed students per year to attend Concordia University, Irvine.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Concordia University, Irvine

5
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Chicago. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in River Forest, Illinois. It awarded 429 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Concordia University, Chicago also did well on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $17,051 for Phys Ed students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Concordia University, Chicago

6
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking. Central Michigan is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 266 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also claimed a top spot on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $16,007 for Phys Ed students per year to attend Central Michigan.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Central Michigan University Health & Physical Education Report

7

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking. UW - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 214 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - La Crosse is also in the top of our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $14,654 for Phys Ed students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

8
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Dickinson State University
Dickinson, North Dakota

With a ranking of #8, Dickinson State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. DSU is a small school located in Dickinson, North Dakota that handed out 18 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,673 for Phys Ed students per year to attend DSU.

Full Dickinson State University Health & Physical Education Report

9

With a ranking of #9, Arkansas State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. Jonesboro, Arkansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 276 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for A-State is $14,189 for phys ed students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at A-State

10
Grand Canyon University crest
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking, coming in at #10. Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 265 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

Grand Canyon University excels when it comes to phys ed quality. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $20,585 for phys ed students per year to attend Grand Canyon University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Grand Canyon University Health & Physical Education Report

11
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking. MSU is a public institution located in Minot, North Dakota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,205 for phys ed students per year to attend Minot State University.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at MSU

12

With a ranking of #12, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 87 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, North Dakota State University also did well on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It costs about $16,998 for Phys Ed students per year to attend North Dakota State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

13

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 129 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato also claimed a top spot on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for Phys Ed students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Health & Physical Education Report

14
Southern Miss crest
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

University of Southern Mississippi ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. Hattiesburg, Mississippi is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 192 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Miss is $14,032 for phys ed students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Southern Miss

15
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 392 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Liberty University also did well on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for Liberty University is $29,382 for phys ed students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Liberty University

16
Cumberlands crest
University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, Kentucky

With a ranking of #16, University of the Cumberlands did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. University of the Cumberlands is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Williamsburg, Kentucky. It awarded 49 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Cumberlands is $13,476 for phys ed students.

Full University of the Cumberlands Health & Physical Education Report

17
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking, coming in at #17. Winona State is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Winona State is also in the top of our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $17,634 for Phys Ed students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Winona State

18

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking. Cal U is located in California, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 372 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Cal U also did well on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Cal U is $19,117 for Phys Ed students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Cal U

19
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. Located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UND is $16,966 for Phys Ed students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at UND

20

Southeastern Oklahoma State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking, coming in at #20. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized school located in Durant, Oklahoma that handed out 179 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,109 for phys ed students per year to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

21
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools ranking, coming in at #21. This large school is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and it awarded 545 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,904 for Phys Ed students per year to attend UofM.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at UofM

22

With a ranking of #22, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a large public school situated in Athens, Ohio. It awarded 282 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, OHIO Athens also did well on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus is $23,831 for phys ed students.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Health & Physical Education Report

23

With a ranking of #23, Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. Located in Winona Lake, Indiana, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 37 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

Grace College also claimed a top spot on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $20,060 for Phys Ed students per year to attend Grace College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Grace College

24
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. Lindenwood University is located in Saint Charles, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 122 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

Lindenwood University also claimed a top spot on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The yearly cost to attend Lindenwood University is $17,366 for phys ed students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Lindenwood University

25
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools list. Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $19,927 for phys ed students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Rest of the Best 51 in Best Value Phys Ed Schools

Not only did these schools make the top 51 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
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Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska
28
29
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Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia
30
31
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University of Houston
Houston, Texas
32
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
SUNY Cortland crest
SUNY Cortland
Cortland, New York
40
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan
41
42
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Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina
43
44
45
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University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri
46
47
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Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas
48
49
50
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Best Value Phys Ed Schools

While not in the ’top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

RankCollegeLocation
52MSU TexasWichita Falls, TX
53Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX
53Northern State UniversityAberdeen, SD
55California State University - FresnoFresno, CA
56University of North TexasDenton, TX
57Ashland UniversityAshland, OH
58University of Central ArkansasConway, AR
59University of FloridaGainesville, FL
60Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondale, IL
60Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA
62Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO
63Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL
64University of WyomingLaramie, WY
65Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX
66Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityWeatherford, OK
RankCollegeLocation
67Oklahoma Panhandle State UniversityGoodwell, OK
68East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA
69Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL
70The University of West FloridaPensacola, FL
71The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX
72California State University - Long BeachLong Beach, CA
73Bob Jones UniversityGreenville, SC
74University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT
75Mt. San Antonio CollegeWalnut, CA
76West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA
77Lock Haven UniversityLock Haven, PA
78Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL
79Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS
80Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX
81University of Minnesota - CrookstonCrookston, MN
82Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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