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2023 Best Value Colleges for Health & Physical Education in the Plains States Region

65 Ranked Colleges
5,158 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Health & Physical Education is the 11th most popular major in the country with 67,146 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, health and physical education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,386 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 5,158 health and physical education graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,173 and $25,468 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, we looked at 65 colleges that offer a degree in health and physical education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great health and physical education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the health and physical education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region phys ed students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Health & Physical Education in the Plains States Region

1
South Dakota State crest
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota

Out of the 65 schools in the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota State University landed the #1 spot on the list. South Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Brookings, South Dakota. It awarded 29 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

South Dakota State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State University is $18,578 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full South Dakota State Health & Physical Education Report

2
DSU crest
Dickinson State University
Dickinson, North Dakota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Dickinson State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. Dickinson State University is a small public school situated in Dickinson, North Dakota. It awarded 18 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Dickinson State University is $12,673 for plains states region phys ed students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at DSU

3
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Minot State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region. Minot State University is located in Minot, North Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU is $12,205 for plains states region phys ed students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at MSU

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 87 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Dakota State University, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,998 for plains states region phys ed students per year to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at North Dakota State University

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 129 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Minnesota State Mankato not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region phys ed students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Minnesota State University - Mankato

6
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #6, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 65 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Winona State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Winona State University is $17,634 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Winona State University

7
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. UND is a fairly large school located in Grand Forks, North Dakota that handed out 29 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,966 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students per year to attend UND.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of North Dakota Health & Physical Education Report

8
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, Missouri

Lindenwood University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 122 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Lindenwood University also made our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $17,366 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students per year to attend Lindenwood University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Lindenwood University

9
WSC crest
Wayne State College
Wayne, Nebraska

Wayne State College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. WSC is a public institution located in Wayne, Nebraska. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WSC is $14,141 for plains states region phys ed students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full WSC Health & Physical Education Report

10

Northwest Missouri State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwest is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,925 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students per year to attend Northwest.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Northwest Missouri State University

11

Concordia University, Saint Paul came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 198 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Concordia University, Saint Paul, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,880 for plains states region phys ed students per year to attend Concordia University, Saint Paul.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Concordia University, Saint Paul

12

Southwest Minnesota State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Marshall, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,872 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students per year to attend Southwest Minnesota State University.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Southwest Minnesota State University

13

University of Northern Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #13. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 71 students in 2020-2021.

UNI also made our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $16,438 for plains states region phys ed students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at University of Northern Iowa

14

Iowa State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 251 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Iowa State University is $16,002 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa State Health & Physical Education Report

15

With a ranking of #15, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. Missouri State University - Springfield is located in Springfield, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 136 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,718 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students per year to attend Missouri State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Missouri State

16
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Warrensburg, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 108 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UCM is $14,058 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at UCM

17

Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school handed out 41 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

MSU Moorhead did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $17,680 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at MSU Moorhead

18
NSU crest
Northern State University
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Northern State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. Northern State University is a small public school situated in Aberdeen, South Dakota. It awarded 33 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Northern State University is $16,695 for plains states region phys ed students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full NSU Health & Physical Education Report

19
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #19, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 35 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Plains States Region Phys Ed students.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Health & Physical Education Report

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Minnesota - Crookston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. UMN Crookston is located in Crookston, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Crookston is $11,593 for plains states region phys ed students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at UMN Crookston

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this fairly large public school awarded 88 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region phys ed students list, UNOMAHA has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,914 for plains states region phys ed students per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at University of Nebraska at Omaha

22
University of Sioux Falls crest
University of Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, South Dakota

University of Sioux Falls ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,662 for plains states region phys ed students per year to attend University of Sioux Falls.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Sioux Falls Health & Physical Education Report

23
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 622 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region phys ed students per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at University of Iowa

24
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

With a ranking of #24, Truman State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region list. Truman State University is a public institution located in Kirksville, Missouri. The school has a small population, and it awarded 92 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $12,301 for plains states region phys ed students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Truman State

25
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. University of Kansas is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 214 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $20,257 for plains states region phys ed students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Kansas Health & Physical Education Report

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References

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