2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Southwest Region
[Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the Southwest 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
Leading the list is South Texas College, our #1 best value for physical education in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $4,500. Early-career physical education graduates make about $22,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for physical education. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $21,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Western Texas College one of the best values for physical education. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Central Texas College landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #7 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paris Junior College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the town of Paris, Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,700. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $8,846. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
Lee College came in at #9 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Oklahoma State College earned the #10 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Altus, Western Oklahoma State College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, compared with $9,758 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,654 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Western Oklahoma State College generally make around $39,122. Set against $14,654 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western New Mexico University came in at #11 for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,855, compared with $14,341 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,425. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Western New Mexico University generally make around $48,366. That is a strong return on a $27,425 median debt.
Oklahoma Panhandle State University came in at #12 for value in physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Goodwell, Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,092, with out-of-state students paying around $8,675. Students borrow a median of $24,249 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Oklahoma Panhandle State University generally make around $53,151. Set against $24,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #13 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Angelina College came in at #14 for value in physical education this year. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $7,828. Early-career physical education graduates make about $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Odessa College came in at #15 for value in physical education this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, with out-of-state students paying around $4,926. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central University placed #16 among the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,200 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of East Central University earn a median of $29,616 early in their careers. Set against $21,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Eastern Arizona College earned the #17 position for value in physical education this year. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $6,781. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $40,304. That is a strong return on a $6,781 median debt.
Cameron University placed #18 among the best values for physical education. Cameron University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lawton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,095, compared with $16,515 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $18,383. Early-career physical education graduates make about $26,189. Set against $18,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #19 among the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rose State College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Rose State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, while out-of-state students pay about $11,407. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #21 for value in physical education this year. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $35,437. That is a strong return on a $22,200 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #22 among the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,361. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $35,583. That is a strong return on a $22,361 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Blinn College earned the #23 position for value in physical education this year. Set in the town of Brenham, Blinn College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,890, compared with $11,370 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Blinn College earn a median of $43,408 early in their careers. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Navarro College earned the #24 position for value in physical education this year. Navarro College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Corsicana. Students from in state pay about $3,008 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,578 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,781 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Navarro College earn a median of $38,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,781 median debt.
Southern Nazarene University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,190. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Southern Nazarene University generally make around $53,851. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for physical education this year:
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More Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
