2026 Best Value Physical Education Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Leading the list is California State University Fresno, our #1 best value for physical education in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $26,931. Set against $14,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $33,141. That is a strong return on a $14,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $49,357. Set against $14,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.

4

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for physical education. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

5

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #5 place for physical education. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,188 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

6

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $59,601. That is a strong return on a $19,312 median debt.

7

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #7 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #8 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, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. 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 $47,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

9

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #9 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $21,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

10

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #10 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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%.

11

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University landed the #11 spot for physical education value this year. East Central University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ada. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,200 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of East Central University earn a median of $29,616 early in their careers. Set against $21,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.

12

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #12 among the best values for physical education. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $26,176 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

13

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #13 position for value in physical education this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $22,492 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $27,626. That is a strong return on a $22,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

14

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama landed the #14 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $29,714. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #15 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,610. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

16

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University came in at #16 for value in physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,418. Physical Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $39,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #17 position for value in physical education this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $41,473. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.

18

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #18 for value in physical education this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $39,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

19

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $44,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

20

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, while out-of-state students pay about $14,522. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $53,952. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

21

West Virginia State University
Institute, WV

West Virginia State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Institute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,570, compared with $14,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,501. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from West Virginia State University generally make around $37,970. Set against $24,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia State University admits about 96% of applicants.

22

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University placed #22 among the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,113 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $47,140. That is a strong return on a $20,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

23

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University earned the #23 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,417 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $17,848. Physical Education graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $61,551 early in their careers. Set against $17,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

24

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University earned the #24 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $60,890. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

25

Missouri Western State University
Saint Joseph, MO

Missouri Western State University placed #25 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,815. Physical Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.