2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 96 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 Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in physical education in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $16,575. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $39,401. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes American Public University System one of the best values for physical education. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $55,491. That is a strong return on a $19,312 median debt.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $28,643. That is a strong return on a $22,188 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Berea College one of the best values for physical education. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $31,428. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
A rank of #5 makes Holmes Community College one of the best values for physical education. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee Martin ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,938. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $30,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #7 for value in physical education this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,359. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama landed the #8 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $29,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
West Virginia University came in at #9 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of The Cumberlands landed the #10 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,630. Early-career physical education graduates make about $31,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #11 spot for physical education value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. 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 $36,462 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,000. Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $25,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $31,802 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Louisiana Tech University admits about 86% of applicants.
Young Harris College landed the #14 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,305. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the physical education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,195 ten years after entry. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for physical education. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $43,319 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia State University placed #16 among the best values for physical education. West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Institute. In-state tuition and fees average $9,570, compared with $14,990 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,501 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of West Virginia State University earn a median of $37,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,501 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of New Orleans came in at #17 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $25,262. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Technological University landed the #18 spot for physical education value this year. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Students from in state pay about $11,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,255. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southwestern State University landed the #19 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,572 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Georgia Southwestern State University generally make around $32,709. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Georgia Southwestern State University admits about 75% of applicants.
Tennessee State University earned the #20 position for value in physical education this year. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $34,855. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #21 spot for physical education value this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,770. Physical Education graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $41,034 early in their careers. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas At Monticello earned the #22 position for value in physical education this year. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,857. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $29,213. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt.
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earned the #23 position for value in physical education this year. Northwestern State University Of Louisiana is a large public school located in the town of Natchitoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,864, compared with $19,652 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Northwestern State University Of Louisiana earn a median of $28,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mississippi University For Women earned the #24 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Columbus, Mississippi University For Women is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,492. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $20,825. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Mississippi University For Women generally make around $42,756. Set against $20,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi University For Women admits about 90% of applicants.
Jacksonville State University came in at #25 for value in physical education this year. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,751 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $45,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in physical education:
Narrow Physical Education Schools by State
More Physical Education Rankings
View All Physical Education Rankings >
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 · 96 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
