2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Far Western Region
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 126 schools to find the best return on investment for physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Our analysis ranked San Diego Miramar College the best value for a degree in physical education in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $17,075. Early-career physical education graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #3 place for physical education. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for physical education. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,999. Physical Education graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. 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.
College Of San Mateo landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $12,831. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #7 for value in physical education this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $10,288. Early-career physical education graduates make about $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
College Of The Canyons landed the #8 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $9,776. Early-career physical education graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College landed the #9 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. 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.
Reedley College landed the #10 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,500. Early-career physical education graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College placed #11 among the best values for physical education. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Shasta College came in at #12 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. 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.
Ventura College landed the #13 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a 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 $20,250 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #14 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Imperial Valley College landed the #15 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Golden West College earned the #16 position for value in physical education this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College came in at #17 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,865. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $19,869. That is a strong return on a $6,865 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #20 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Citrus College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,204, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
Hartnell College earned the #22 position for value in physical education this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,000. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,080. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles placed #23 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $13,750. Physical Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $28,687 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College landed the #24 spot for physical education value 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. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. 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.
Taft College earned the #25 position for value in physical education this year. Taft College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Taft. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,108, while out-of-state students pay about $10,852. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,861.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical education:
Narrow Physical Education Schools by State
More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
