2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in West Virginia
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 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 West Virginia
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
For return on investment in health & physical education, no school beat Marshall University this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $20,682. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #2 makes Fairmont State University one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,708 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,924. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $30,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
A rank of #3 makes American Public University System one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $19,312. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $55,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at West Virginia State University, which ranked #4. West Virginia State University is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Institute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,570, with out-of-state students paying around $14,990. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,501 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from West Virginia State University generally make around $37,970. That is a strong return on a $24,501 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
West Liberty University placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. West Liberty University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of West Liberty. Students from in state pay about $8,893 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,442 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from West Liberty University generally make around $24,139. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Glenville State College came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Glenville, Glenville State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,354. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $29,072 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Glenville State College earn a median of $25,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #8 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,090. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of West Virginia Wesleyan College earn a median of $24,526 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Wheeling Jesuit University came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Wheeling, Wheeling Jesuit University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,875. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Wheeling Jesuit University earn a median of $38,212 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Davis And Elkins College placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Elkins, Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,820. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Davis And Elkins College generally make around $71,201. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Charleston landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,617. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,646. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $64,407. Set against $22,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
