2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 153 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
For return on investment in health & physical education, no school beat South Texas College this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $22,699. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Pima Community College, which ranked #2. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at El Paso Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $21,750 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $19,327 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $24,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,112. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $53,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,110. Health & Physical Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Western Texas College came in at #8 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $6,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $8,691. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,625 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,625 median debt.
Central Texas College came in at #10 for value in health & physical education this year. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,290 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Central Texas College generally make around $53,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yavapai College landed the #13 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Yavapai College generally make around $52,087. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Paris Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $8,846. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,081. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Western New Mexico University placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Oklahoma State College placed #19 among the best values for health & physical education. Western Oklahoma State College is a small public school located in the town of Altus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $9,758. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,654. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University landed the #20 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $20,167. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $43,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $20,052. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University earned the #22 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,092, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University generally make around $53,151. That is a strong return on a $24,249 median debt.
Angelina College landed the #23 spot for health & physical education value this year. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $7,828. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Angelina College generally make around $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #24 position for value in health & physical education this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,049 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $23,010. Set against $21,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Odessa College earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $47,856. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
Narrow Health & Physical Education Schools by State
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 153 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 68 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.
