2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Tennessee

[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Tennessee
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
Our analysis ranked Austin Peay State University the best value for a degree in health & physical education in Tennessee. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, with out-of-state students paying around $14,766. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,636. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,938. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $35,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,653. Health & Physical Education graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Middle Tennessee State 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 Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $36,462. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $29,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Martin Methodist College placed #7 among the best values for health & physical education. Martin Methodist College is a small public school located in the town of Pulaski. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,924. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Martin Methodist College generally make around $28,069. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Bethel University Tennessee earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of McKenzie, Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,712. Students borrow a median of $29,677 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Bethel University Tennessee generally make around $31,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Tennessee admits about 60% of applicants.
Cumberland University placed #9 among the best values for health & physical education. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $47,696. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,216 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $22,036 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,043. Set against $22,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Tennessee Wesleyan College landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,814. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $29,750. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $58,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Trevecca Nazarene University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. That is a strong return on a $24,962 median debt. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,500. Health & Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $35,175 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Tennessee State University earned the #14 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $31,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,855 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lee University earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,790. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lee University earn a median of $22,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Carson Newman College placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,700. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Carson Newman College generally make around $25,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Harrogate. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Lincoln Memorial University generally make around $26,830. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Bryan College Dayton placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,800. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,077. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Bryan College Dayton generally make around $27,342. That is a strong return on a $26,077 median debt.
Milligan College placed #19 among the best values for health & physical education. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,450. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,601 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $64,327. That is a strong return on a $23,601 median debt. Milligan College admits about 72% of applicants.
Tusculum College placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Greeneville, Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Tusculum College earn a median of $22,825 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tusculum College admits about 72% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,479. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Freed Hardeman University generally make around $54,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Knoxville, Johnson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,122. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,819. Health & Physical Education graduates of Johnson University earn a median of $34,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson University admits about 65% of applicants.
King College landed the #23 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,397. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,579 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from King College generally make around $49,297. Set against $25,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. King College admits about 100% of applicants.
Southern Adventist University came in at #24 for value in health & physical education this year. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,300. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,975. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southern Adventist University earn a median of $61,366 early in their careers. Set against $25,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Lipscomb University came in at #25 for value in health & physical education this year. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $40,572. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.