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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 The Plains States Region

70 Colleges in the United States
$25,285 Avg Student Debt
$53,700 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 173 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

1

Northeast Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in the The Plains States Region. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $11,937. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
College Of The Ozarks crest
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO

College Of The Ozarks came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,360. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,944. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.

3
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Kirkwood Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,779. Health & Physical Education graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Truman State University crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, while out-of-state students pay about $18,566. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $26,865. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.

5

Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.

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6

University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,943. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #7 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,661 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,812 early in their careers. Set against $25,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

8

Missouri Southern State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Students from in state pay about $9,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,947. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $34,465. That is a strong return on a $24,947 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.

9

Minot State University earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,702 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

10

Peru State College landed the #10 spot for health & physical education value this year. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Peru State College generally make around $40,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Barton County Community College earned the #11 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.

12

Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $45,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Missouri Western State University placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,815. Health & Physical Education graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #14 for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,954. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

15

Wichita State University placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $34,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

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16

College Of Saint Mary landed the #16 spot for health & physical education value this year. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,510. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,539. Health & Physical Education graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $66,015 early in their careers. Set against $25,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Saint Mary admits about 45% of applicants.

17

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,050. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

18

Central Christian College Of Kansas placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,295. Health & Physical Education graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $49,979 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,295 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

19

Southeast Missouri State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,572 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

20

North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,646. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

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21
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas earned the #21 position for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

22

Washburn University placed #22 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,945 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,717 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Dickinson State University came in at #23 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Central Missouri ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,975. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.

25

Southwest Minnesota State University placed #25 among the best values for health & physical education. Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $32,802 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.

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
29
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO
30
31
32
Avila University crest
Avila University
Kansas City, MO
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Logan University crest
Logan University
Chesterfield, MO
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Fontbonne University crest
Fontbonne University
Saint Louis, MO
47
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA
48
University Of Mary crest
University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND
49
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
50
Evangel University crest
Evangel University
Springfield, MO

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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 · 173 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 70 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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