2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Utah Valley University tops our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $15,252 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $31,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #2 place for physical education. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,588 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $39,059. That is a strong return on a $19,588 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis Clark State College earned it the #3 place for physical education. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,610 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $33,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Colorado State University Pueblo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $34,865. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #5 makes Metropolitan State College Of Denver one of the best values for physical education. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,292 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $41,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $9,281. Physical Education graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $25,253 early in their careers. Set against $9,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University Billings came in at #7 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,280 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Students borrow a median of $25,465 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $48,764. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Montana Western earned the #8 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $36,924. That is a strong return on a $22,484 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rocky Mountain College earned the #9 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,582. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career physical education graduates make about $30,025. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Boise State University came in at #10 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,524 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $35,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,524 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Montana State University earned the #11 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $47,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Great Falls came in at #12 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,448 in tuition and fees. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $104,670. That is a strong return on a $23,847 median debt. University Of Great Falls admits about 50% of applicants.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
