2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in North Carolina
[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 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.
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2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in North Carolina
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 North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in health & physical education in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,401. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville State University earned it the #2 place for health & physical education. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $41,449. That is a strong return on a $27,869 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Brunswick Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,553, while out-of-state students pay about $8,697. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Brunswick Community College generally make around $47,493. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $41,176. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,992. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $26,821. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #7 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $25,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $26,498. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $33,717. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $38,488 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University landed the #12 spot for health & physical education value this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $26,467. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina Central University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Students borrow a median of $33,770 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $34,188. That is a strong return on a $33,770 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $63,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
North Carolina Wesleyan College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rocky Mount. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,586. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,713. Health & Physical Education graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan College earn a median of $40,202 early in their careers. Set against $26,713 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Wesleyan College admits about 80% of applicants.
Chowan University landed the #16 spot for health & physical education value this year. Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Murfreesboro. Students from in state pay about $27,910 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $31,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Chowan University generally make around $25,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Livingstone College landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Livingstone College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,296. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $35,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Livingstone College generally make around $21,427. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Livingstone College admits about 59% of applicants.
Catawba College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,703. Health & Physical Education graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $27,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Catawba College admits about 75% of applicants.
Shaw University placed #19 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $17,738 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Shaw University generally make around $18,987. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,013. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Greensboro College landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Greensboro College generally make around $27,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College placed #22 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,820. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Mount Olive College generally make around $27,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Mars Hill College came in at #23 for value in health & physical education this year. Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mars Hill. Students from in state pay about $37,736 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,886 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Mars Hill College generally make around $43,031. That is a strong return on a $26,886 median debt. Mars Hill College admits about 68% of applicants.
Pfeiffer University placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Misenheimer. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,070. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Pfeiffer University generally make around $26,744. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Wingate University came in at #25 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,576 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
