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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical education students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of The Ozarks tops our 2026 list of the best value physical education schools in Missouri. College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Point Lookout. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,360. Physical Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Western State University earned it the #2 place for physical education. Set in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,455 for out-of-state students. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,815 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $36,557. That is a strong return on a $24,815 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Missouri State University earned it the #3 place for physical education. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in physical education will find it at Park University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,116. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,576 in student loans. Early-career physical education graduates make about $28,945. Set against $27,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #5 place for physical education. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $22,876 to complete the physical education program here. Soon after graduation, physical education degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $29,761. That is a strong return on a $22,876 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
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Lindenwood University came in at #6 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,600 in tuition and fees. Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Physical Education graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lindenwood University admits about 57% of applicants.
Evangel University landed the #7 spot for physical education value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Students borrow a median of $24,876 to complete the physical education program here. Physical Education graduates of Evangel University earn a median of $42,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,876 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #8 spot for physical education value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the physical education program here. Early-career physical education graduates make about $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Rockhurst University came in at #9 for value in physical education this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,966. Typical student debt for physical education graduates is $27,000. Physical Education graduates of Rockhurst University earn a median of $70,849 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.