by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 95 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Texas College earned the #1 spot for value among health & physical education schools in Texas. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $22,699. That is a strong return on a $4,500 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,500. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $21,750. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,327 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $24,867. That is a strong return on a $19,327 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,110 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. Set against $15,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Western Texas College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $8,691. Health & Physical Education graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Austin Community College District earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,625. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,290 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,086. That is a strong return on a $11,290 median debt.
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Grayson College earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College placed #9 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Paris Junior College landed the #10 spot for health & physical education value this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $38,811 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,846 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,081. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $20,167. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Rice University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $51,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
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Angelina College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $7,828. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $50,767. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,049 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $23,010. Set against $21,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Odessa College landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. Odessa College is a large public school located in the city of Odessa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,688, while out-of-state students pay about $4,926. Students borrow a median of $9,087 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $47,856. That is a strong return on a $9,087 median debt.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,107. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #19 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,007. Health & Physical Education graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $45,653 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,957 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $32,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
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Sul Ross State University came in at #22 for value in health & physical education this year. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. Students from in state pay about $7,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,672. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,670. Health & Physical Education graduates of Sul Ross State University earn a median of $49,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,670 median debt. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #23 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,935. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Texarkana ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,349, with out-of-state students paying around $24,680. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,270. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,862. Set against $25,270 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,298. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
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Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:
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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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.