2026 Best Value Physical Education Teaching & Coaching Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

For return on investment in physical education teaching & coaching, no school beat Western Illinois University this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $50,756. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

2

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

A rank of #2 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,746 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $51,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,746 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

3

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Millikin University earned it the #3 place for physical education teaching & coaching. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $43,936 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.

4

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern Illinois University earned it the #4 place for physical education teaching & coaching. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $77,040. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

5

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education teaching & coaching, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $45,862. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

6

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $25,719. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $40,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

7

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University landed the #7 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,751 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $49,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,751 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.

8

University Of Wisconsin River Falls
River Falls, WI

University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #8 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, while out-of-state students pay about $17,470. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $43,296. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.

9

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University landed the #9 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $49,745. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

10

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $63,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

11

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #11 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $28,500. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $51,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.

12

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University came in at #12 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,675. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

13

Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University landed the #13 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $28,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $50,021. That is a strong return on a $28,550 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

14

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #14 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $21,182. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $46,566. Set against $21,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

15

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $27,000. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $45,966. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

16

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

17

University Of Wisconsin Superior
Superior, WI

University Of Wisconsin Superior came in at #17 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Set in the suburb of Superior, University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,845 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $45,219. That is a strong return on a $27,845 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

18

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for physical education teaching & coaching. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $50,688. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #19 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $49,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

20

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago earned the #20 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,488. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education teaching & coaching degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $51,796. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.

21

Trinity Christian College
Palos Heights, IL

Trinity Christian College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $27,000. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $44,538 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

22

Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University came in at #22 for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $26,336. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $51,122 early in their careers. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

23

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University earned the #23 position for value in physical education teaching & coaching this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the physical education teaching & coaching program here. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $46,124. That is a strong return on a $30,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

24

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education teaching & coaching schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $23,250. Physical Education Teaching & Coaching graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,282 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

25

Monmouth College
Monmouth, IL

Monmouth College landed the #25 spot for physical education teaching & coaching value this year. Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Monmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,922. Typical student debt for physical education teaching & coaching graduates is $26,444. Early-career physical education teaching & coaching graduates make about $36,675. That is a strong return on a $26,444 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.