2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in South Dakota

[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
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2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in South Dakota
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 Northern State University this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,500. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $40,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Black Hills State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,916, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,142. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Dakota State University earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $41,595. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of South Dakota is a large public school located in the town of Vermillion. In-state tuition and fees average $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,322 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of South Dakota generally make around $51,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #5 makes Dakota State University one of the best values for health & physical education. Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madison. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $28,724. Health & Physical Education graduates of Dakota State University earn a median of $51,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Sioux Falls landed the #6 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,750. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,146 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,839. Set against $24,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Mount Marty College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Yankton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $108,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College South Dakota landed the #8 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,160. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $50,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.