2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Pennsylvania

[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 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 11 schools to find the best return on investment for physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Montgomery County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among physical education schools in Pennsylvania. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $39,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for physical education. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for physical education. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $37,991. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #4 place for physical education. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #5 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for physical education. 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. Physical Education graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best values for physical education. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lancaster Bible College landed the #7 spot for physical education value this year. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. In-state tuition and fees average $29,990. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,507 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $35,130. That is a strong return on a $28,507 median debt. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Physical Education graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $39,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.