2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 496 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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Finding the Best Value Physical Education School for You
The physical education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Physical Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physical Education Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among physical education schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $17,075. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for physical education. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $4,500. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $22,699. Set against $4,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $8,098. Physical Education graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for physical education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #5 place for physical education. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College earned the #6 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Shasta College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #8 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #9 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $13,750. Early-career physical education graduates make about $28,687. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of The Canyons ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo landed the #11 spot for physical education value this year. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the physical education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #12 among the best values for physical education. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Citrus College placed #13 among the best values for physical education. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Saddleback College came in at #14 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #15 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $17,318. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $25,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
West Valley College came in at #16 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $14,308. Physical Education graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College placed #17 among the best values for physical education. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $6,865 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $19,869. Set against $6,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College came in at #18 for value in physical education this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #19 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Moreno Valley College placed #20 among the best values for physical education. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College landed the #21 spot for physical education value this year. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $8,203. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,206. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #23 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $11,196. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
California State University Fullerton ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $14,481. Early-career physical education graduates make about $28,342. Set against $14,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #25 position for value in physical education this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical education:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 496 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 146 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.
