2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 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 Middle Atlantic 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
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $13,629. Physical Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Nassau Community College one of the best values for physical education. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Raritan Valley Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $9,668. Physical Education graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Hudson Valley Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $12,868 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College earned the #6 position for value in physical education this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College earned the #7 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,384, while out-of-state students pay about $9,248. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $10,671. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,623 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.
Monroe Community College placed #9 among the best values for physical education. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $12,921. Physical Education graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #10 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt.
Rockland Community College came in at #11 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,167 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Montgomery County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Bell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $15,219. Early-career physical education graduates make about $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jamestown Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,800 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Jamestown Community College earn a median of $35,520 early in their careers. Set against $12,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anne Arundel Community College landed the #14 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $13,947. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Watertown, Jefferson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,264, while out-of-state students pay about $11,700. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,804 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,033. That is a strong return on a $14,804 median debt.
Finger Lakes Community College placed #16 among the best values for physical education. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,258, with out-of-state students paying around $8,442. Students borrow a median of $16,736 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Finger Lakes Community College generally make around $40,467. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for physical education. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Physical Education graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $37,991 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Gallaudet University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,654. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,123 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $38,090. Set against $24,123 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gallaudet University admits about 58% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Canisius College landed the #20 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,200. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $35,502. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi landed the #21 spot for physical education value this year. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,303 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $48,647. Set against $20,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #22 among the best values for physical education. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,411. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Mcdaniel College came in at #24 for value in physical education this year. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $52,081 in tuition and fees. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,697 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Mcdaniel College earn a median of $38,122 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mcdaniel College admits about 78% of applicants.
Utica College placed #25 among the best values for physical education. Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,930. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,237. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Utica College generally make around $53,602. Set against $27,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical education this year:
Narrow Physical Education Schools by State
More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
