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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Physical Education Bachelor’s Degree Schools

135 Colleges in the United States
$24,599 Avg Student Debt
$53,988 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Badge [Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 496 schools to find the best return on investment for physical education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Physical Education Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #2. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $28,687. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $17,318 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $25,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,481 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $23,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at California State University San Bernardino, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $29,143. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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6

California State University Stanislaus earned the #6 position for value in physical education this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,085 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $25,414. That is a strong return on a $17,085 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

7

California State University Fresno placed #7 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $26,931. That is a strong return on a $14,314 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

8
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Bakersfield landed the #9 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

10

California State University Northridge ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,952. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

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11

California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for physical education value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,551 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

12

Utah Valley University placed #12 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,252 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $31,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

The University Of West Florida landed the #13 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,188. Physical Education graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

14

California State University Sacramento placed #14 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,129 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $31,901. That is a strong return on a $18,129 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

15

Western New Mexico University placed #15 among the best values for physical education. Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Silver City. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. Set against $27,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

American Public University System came in at #16 for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $19,312. Early-career physical education graduates make about $51,381. That is a strong return on a $19,312 median debt.

17

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $28,364. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

18
College Of The Ozarks crest
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks came in at #18 for value in physical education this year. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Physical Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

19

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #19 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $20,052. Physical Education graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

20

California State University East Bay landed the #20 spot for physical education value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $33,189 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #21 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,165. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

22

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $21,102. Physical Education graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

23

Oklahoma Panhandle State University landed the #23 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,092, while out-of-state students pay about $8,675. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,249. Early-career physical education graduates make about $53,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

California State University San Marcos ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $18,257. Physical Education graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $26,203 early in their careers. Set against $18,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

25

San Jose State University earned the #25 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for physical education this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
University Of Guam crest
University Of Guam
Mangilao, GU
39
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Young Harris College crest
Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA
47
48
49
50

Other Physical Education Degree Levels

Explore the best-value physical education schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Physical Education
Associate's Degrees in Physical Education
Master's Degrees in Physical Education
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View All Physical Education Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 496 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 135 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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