2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the The Plains States 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 173 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Northeast Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in the The Plains States Region. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $11,937. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,779. Health & Physical Education graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $26,865. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,943. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #7 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,661 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,812 early in their careers. Set against $25,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,947. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $34,465. That is a strong return on a $24,947 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Minot State University earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Peru State College landed the #10 spot for health & physical education value this year. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Barton County Community College earned the #11 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,815. Health & Physical Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #14 for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,954. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Wichita State University placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $34,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
College Of Saint Mary landed the #16 spot for health & physical education value this year. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,510. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,539. Health & Physical Education graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $66,015 early in their careers. Set against $25,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Saint Mary admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,050. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Central Christian College Of Kansas placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,295. Health & Physical Education graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $49,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,295 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,572 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,646. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas earned the #21 position for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Washburn University placed #22 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,717 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dickinson State University came in at #23 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,975. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #25 among the best values for health & physical education. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $32,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:
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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 · 173 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 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.
