by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 496 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Shasta College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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San Diego Mesa College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
College Of The Canyons landed the #7 spot for physical education value this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
College Of San Mateo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the physical education program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College earned the #9 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $11,306. Physical Education graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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 ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $5,707. 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.
West Valley College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $6,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $19,869. Set against $6,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College placed #14 among the best values for physical education. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias placed #15 among the best values for physical education. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College landed the #16 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $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 came in at #17 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the physical education program here. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Ventura College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College earned the #19 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #21 position for value in physical education this year. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
El Paso Community College came in at #22 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $21,750. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Hartnell College landed the #23 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #24 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Orange Coast College earned the #25 position for value in physical education this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical education:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physical Education rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published 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 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.