2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 55 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in North Carolina
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
Gaston College tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in North Carolina. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,915. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Wake Technical Community College one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $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.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $48,012. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $41,176 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Brunswick Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Bolivia, Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,553 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,697. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,500. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $47,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabeth City State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $26,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $25,623. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $26,498. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $33,717. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University placed #11 among the best values for health & physical education. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $26,467 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $38,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $33,770. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $34,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Shaw University placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $17,738. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $18,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shaw University admits about 80% of applicants.
Chowan University landed the #16 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,910. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $31,581. Health & Physical Education graduates of Chowan University earn a median of $25,983 early in their careers. Set against $31,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Mount Olive College came in at #18 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Students borrow a median of $25,820 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Mount Olive College generally make around $27,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
North Carolina Wesleyan College earned the #19 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,586. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,713. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $40,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Catawba College placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $34,300 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Catawba College generally make around $27,305. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Livingstone College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Livingstone College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,296. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Livingstone College generally make around $21,427. That is a strong return on a $35,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Meredith College came in at #22 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $38,525. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Saint Augustines College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Saint Augustines College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,896. Students borrow a median of $40,375 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Saint Augustines College earn a median of $23,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Augustines College admits about 34% of applicants.
Greensboro College placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Greensboro, Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,000 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Greensboro College earn a median of $27,624 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Greensboro College admits about 70% of applicants.
Mars Hill College landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mars Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,736. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,886 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mars Hill College admits about 68% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
