2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 73 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 Great Lakes 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
Leading the list is Harper College, our #1 best value for physical education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Macomb Community College, which ranked #2. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Sinclair Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Lake County earned it the #4 place for physical education. Located in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #5 place for physical education. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the physical education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $42,490 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #7 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,418. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $36,011. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #8 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $19,657. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,640. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,237. Early-career physical education graduates make about $34,811. That is a strong return on a $23,237 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University placed #10 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,393. Early-career physical education graduates make about $30,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Platteville came in at #11 for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Platteville, University Of Wisconsin Platteville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,603 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $46,027. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lake Superior State University landed the #12 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,429 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ball State University came in at #13 for value in physical education this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $36,829. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #14 among the best values for physical education. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $25,200. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $34,503. Set against $25,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #15 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $29,866 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University landed the #16 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $36,910. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago came in at #17 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $58,760 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,166 median debt. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University landed the #18 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,300. Physical Education graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $29,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,640. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,894 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $47,887. Set against $26,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,137. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Illinois State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $37,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Quincy University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Students borrow a median of $26,691 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Quincy University earn a median of $46,414 early in their careers. Set against $26,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Quincy University admits about 51% of applicants.
North Park University came in at #24 for value in physical education this year. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,495 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $30,165. Set against $25,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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. 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 · 73 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
