2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in California
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 108 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in California
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 California. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #4. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. 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. Early-career physical education graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Cerritos College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $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. 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. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #7 spot for physical education value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #8 for value in physical education this year. 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. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $9,776. Early-career physical education graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
West Valley College landed the #9 spot for physical education value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Reedley College earned the #10 position for value in physical education this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $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 landed the #11 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College placed #12 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Imperial Valley College came in at #13 for value in physical education this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Shasta College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $12,275. 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.
Saddleback College landed the #15 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College came in at #16 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco 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. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College came in at #17 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. 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.
Grossmont College earned the #18 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Physical Education graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $19,869 early in their careers. Set against $6,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #20 spot for physical education value 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. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,318 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $25,349. Set against $17,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hartnell College landed the #21 spot for physical education value this year. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,404, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Citrus College placed #22 among the best values for physical education. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
California State University Los Angeles landed the #23 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $28,687. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Ana College came in at #24 for value in physical education this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Taft College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Taft College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Taft. In-state tuition and fees average $1,108, compared with $10,852 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,861.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical education value ranking:
More Physical Education Rankings
View All Physical Education Rankings >
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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
