by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical education schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Capital Community College earned the #1 spot for value among physical education schools in the New England Region. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Fitchburg State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bridgewater State University earned it the #3 place for physical education. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for physical education. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,808 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $31,755 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Westfield State University landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Physical Education graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $32,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Keene State College came in at #7 for value in physical education this year. Keene State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Keene. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,892. Early-career physical education graduates make about $29,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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University Of Rhode Island came in at #8 for value in physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Plymouth State University placed #9 among the best values for physical education. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $51,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Vermont came in at #10 for value in physical education this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,163 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $27,835 early in their careers. Set against $22,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Vermont Technical College earned the #11 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,952 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,208. Early-career physical education graduates make about $37,493. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #12 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $32,603 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norwich University came in at #13 for value in physical education this year. Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Norwich University generally make around $33,805. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Colby Sawyer College earned the #14 position for value in physical education this year. Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New London. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,125. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Colby Sawyer College generally make around $30,804. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
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Dean College placed #15 among the best values for physical education. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,526. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $28,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dean College admits about 74% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #16 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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This list is compiled 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.