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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region

167 Colleges in the United States
$25,125 Avg Student Debt
$49,662 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Badge [Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 313 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Southeast Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health & physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among health & physical education schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $45,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,717. Set against $19,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $40,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,620. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $46,398. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

5
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

A rank of #5 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $42,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

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6
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

8
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,801. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.

9

The University Of West Florida landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,188. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

10

Florida International University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

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11

University Of North Florida ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,500. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $33,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

12

Northwest Florida State College came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Northwest Florida State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Niceville. Students from in state pay about $2,583 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,612. Students borrow a median of $11,566 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northwest Florida State College earn a median of $48,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,566 median debt.

13
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,915. Health & Physical Education graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.

14

University Of North Georgia ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $42,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.

15

American Public University System ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $55,491. That is a strong return on a $19,312 median debt.

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16

Holmes Community College placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $20,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

18

Wake Technical Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

20

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,575. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $39,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

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21

Fairmont State University placed #21 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,833. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

22

The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Students borrow a median of $23,938 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $30,587. That is a strong return on a $23,938 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $48,012. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

24

Northwest Mississippi Community College placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Students borrow a median of $9,990 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. Set against $9,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

University Of Georgia ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $36,359 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:

26
27
28
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Georgia Gwinnett College crest
Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA
41
42
43
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA
44
45
Young Harris College crest
Young Harris College
Young Harris, GA
46
47
48
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR
49
50

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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 · 313 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 167 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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