2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Tennessee
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-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.
College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Tennessee
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
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #1 spot for value among health & physical education schools in Tennessee. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,938 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $30,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,938 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $29,772. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $36,462. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #4. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Students borrow a median of $15,653 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Tennessee Technological University earn a median of $40,255 early in their careers. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
Tennessee State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $31,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,855. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,610. Set against $27,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,300. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Trevecca Nazarene University generally make around $52,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $37,636. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from East Tennessee State University generally make around $34,043. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee Wesleyan College earned the #10 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,814. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee placed #11 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,500. Health & Physical Education graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $35,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Martin Methodist College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Pulaski, Martin Methodist College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,924. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Martin Methodist College generally make around $28,069. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Martin Methodist College admits about 87% of applicants.
Lincoln Memorial University earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,938. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lincoln Memorial University earn a median of $26,830 early in their careers. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lincoln Memorial University admits about 63% of applicants.
Cumberland University earned the #14 position for value in health & physical education this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $47,696. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Bryan College Dayton came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Dayton, Bryan College Dayton is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,800. Students borrow a median of $26,077 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Bryan College Dayton generally make around $27,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Carson Newman College landed the #16 spot for health & physical education value this year. Carson Newman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jefferson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,700. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carson Newman College admits about 90% of applicants.
Freed Hardeman University came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,620 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,479. Health & Physical Education graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,479 median debt. Freed Hardeman University admits about 60% of applicants.
Lee University placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,790. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Lee University generally make around $22,135. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Milligan College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Milligan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milligan. In-state tuition and fees average $40,450. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Milligan College generally make around $64,327. That is a strong return on a $23,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Bethel University Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Bethel University Tennessee is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of McKenzie. Students from in state pay about $18,712 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $29,677 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,638. Set against $29,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
King College placed #21 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Bristol, King College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,397. Students borrow a median of $25,579 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of King College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. Set against $25,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Tusculum College placed #22 among the best values for health & physical education. Tusculum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greeneville. Students from in state pay about $29,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $22,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Southern Adventist University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Collegedale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,300. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,975 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Adventist University admits about 66% of applicants.
Lipscomb University placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $40,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $48,949. Set against $24,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Union University earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Union University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $37,398 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Union University generally make around $68,508. That is a strong return on a $28,605 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:
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. 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
