2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 313 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health & physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among health & physical education schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $45,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,717. Set against $19,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $40,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,620. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $46,398. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $42,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Berea College earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,801. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
The University Of West Florida landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,188. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,500. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $33,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Northwest Florida State College came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $48,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.
Gaston College earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,915. Health & Physical Education graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
University Of North Georgia ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $42,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
American Public University System ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $55,491. That is a strong return on a $19,312 median debt.
Holmes Community College placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $20,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,575. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $39,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Fairmont State University placed #21 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,833. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,938 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $30,587. That is a strong return on a $23,938 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $48,012. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Set against $9,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Georgia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $36,359 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 313 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 167 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.
