2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Michigan
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Michigan
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 University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in physical education in Michigan. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $42,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,429 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $47,910. Set against $22,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Michigan University earned it the #4 place for physical education. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Physical Education graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $36,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Eastern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $26,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University placed #6 among the best values for physical education. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,300. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $29,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for physical education. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Aquinas College Michigan came in at #8 for value in physical education this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,218. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Aquinas College Michigan generally make around $40,708. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Aquinas College Michigan admits about 90% of applicants.
Spring Arbor University earned the #9 position for value in physical education this year. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,014. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $28,268. Physical Education graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $53,080 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Olivet College earned the #10 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Olivet, Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,068. Students borrow a median of $29,578 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $24,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet College admits about 83% of applicants.
Adrian College earned the #11 position for value in physical education this year. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,684. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Adrian College earn a median of $36,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College landed the #12 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,833. Early-career physical education graduates make about $26,309. Set against $24,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Concordia University Ann Arbor placed #13 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,410. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $54,043. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Concordia University Ann Arbor admits about 69% of applicants.
More Physical Education Rankings
View All Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
