2027 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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 121 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Kirkwood Community College the best value for a degree in health & physical education in the The Plains States Region. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Valley City State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,580, compared with $13,544 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,074 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Valley City State University earn a median of $48,241 early in their careers. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 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. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,956. Health & Physical Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Haskell Indian Nations University earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $600. Health & Physical Education graduates of Haskell Indian Nations University earn a median of $24,914 early in their careers. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $26,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Mayville State University came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,979 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Students borrow a median of $27,464 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Mayville State University generally make around $49,971. That is a strong return on a $27,464 median debt.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,947 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $34,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,947 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,661 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,812. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Minnesota Morris landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, while out-of-state students pay about $16,710. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,080 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. That is a strong return on a $21,080 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $34,774 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Peru State College came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $8,433 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,254. Health & Physical Education graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #12 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Missouri St Louis placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University earned the #14 position for value in health & physical education this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,815 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Set against $24,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $36,646. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,392, compared with $7,872 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $46,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,975. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Dickinson State University placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
Iowa Western Community College landed the #19 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Iowa Western Community College generally make around $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Minot State University came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. 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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #22 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,050. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,900 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Bemidji State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,898. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $32,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Kansas landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $33,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
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More Health & Physical Education Rankings
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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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 121 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.
