2027 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.
College Factual analyzed 246 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
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2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in health & physical education in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $19,982. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $45,046. Set against $19,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $39,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $39,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $40,682. That is a strong return on a $20,659 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of North Florida ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $33,364 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida State University came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $34,630. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 for value in health & physical education this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Northwest Florida State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,583, compared with $10,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $48,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Georgia landed the #10 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $42,341. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida earned the #11 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $28,643. Set against $22,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
American Public University System landed the #12 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $55,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $20,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Berea College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Holmes Community College landed the #15 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, with out-of-state students paying around $6,610. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $9,422. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fairmont State University placed #17 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,708, with out-of-state students paying around $18,924. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $30,833 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairmont State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University earned the #18 position for value in health & physical education this year. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,869. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $41,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $9,990. 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.
Louisiana State University Alexandria placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Louisiana State University Alexandria earn a median of $47,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin came in at #21 for value in health & physical education this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,938 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $30,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #23 position for value in health & physical education this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. 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. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #24 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Austin Peay State University came in at #25 for value in health & physical education this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,636. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:
Narrow Health & Physical Education Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 246 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 246 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.
