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2026 Best Value Physical Education Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Education Schools
Northeast Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $11,937. Physical Education graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes College Of The Ozarks one of the best values for physical education. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Early-career physical education graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for physical education. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,661 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Barton County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, compared with $4,960 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Barton County Community College generally make around $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $24,815. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Missouri Western State University generally make around $36,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
ADBLOCK #101
Washburn University landed the #6 spot for physical education value this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,717 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $25,679 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,717 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,500. Physical Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $22,572. Physical Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,572 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University placed #9 among the best values for physical education. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,361. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Southwest Minnesota State University generally make around $32,802. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Park University placed #10 among the best values for physical education. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,576. Physical Education graduates of Park University earn a median of $28,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Catherine University came in at #21 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from St Catherine University generally make around $60,427. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Grand View University came in at #22 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,762. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $43,236. Set against $26,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Briar Cliff University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,642. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $61,105. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rockhurst University came in at #25 for value in physical education this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,966. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical education value ranking:
Narrow Physical Education Schools by State