2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southwest Region

[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 116 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southwest 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
For return on investment in health & physical education, no school beat South Texas College this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $22,699. 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 Pima Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,655. Health & Physical Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $21,750. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Health & Physical Education graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $24,867 early in their careers. Set against $19,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Texas College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. 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. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,916 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,226 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,609. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #8 for value in health & physical education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,625. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,941. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earned the #10 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Chickasha, University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000, while out-of-state students pay about $20,190. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma earn a median of $30,136 early in their careers. University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Odessa College placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Howard College earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Howard College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Big Spring. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,242. Health & Physical Education graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. Set against $14,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paris Junior College came in at #14 for value in health & physical education this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Redlands Community College landed the #16 spot for health & physical education value this year. Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of El Reno. Students from in state pay about $5,385 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,951. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,682 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
Western New Mexico University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,425. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
Western Oklahoma State College placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,654 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Western Oklahoma State College generally make around $39,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Angelina College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,430 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Students borrow a median of $7,828 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Collin County Community College District landed the #20 spot for health & physical education value this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, compared with $6,064 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $9,716. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. 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.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #22 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,049 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $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.
Hill College earned the #23 position for value in health & physical education this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,862. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blinn College earned the #24 position for value in health & physical education this year. Blinn College is a very large public school located in the town of Brenham. In-state tuition and fees average $4,890, while out-of-state students pay about $11,370. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Central Texas College landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $11,290. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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
This ranking is produced 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 · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 116 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.