2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Missouri
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Truman State University earned the #1 spot for value among health & physical education schools in Missouri. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $26,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,943 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,079. That is a strong return on a $25,943 median debt. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
College Of The Ozarks came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Point Lookout, College Of The Ozarks is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,360. Health & Physical Education graduates of College Of The Ozarks earn a median of $37,944 early in their careers. College Of The Ozarks admits about 12% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Southern State University earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Set in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,947 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $34,465 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,815 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,557. That is a strong return on a $24,815 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. 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. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #7 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. 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 Central Missouri generally make around $39,975. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,876. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Park University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,576 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $28,945. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Avila University earned the #10 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,200. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Logan University came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Logan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chesterfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Logan University earn a median of $48,504 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Fontbonne University came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Fontbonne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,976. Students borrow a median of $33,503 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Fontbonne University generally make around $46,039. That is a strong return on a $33,503 median debt.
Lindenwood University landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,600. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,314. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Valley College came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Marshall, Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,700. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $28,708. Health & Physical Education graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $33,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Valley College admits about 69% of applicants.
Evangel University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Evangel University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,548. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,876. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Evangel University generally make around $42,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Evangel University admits about 72% of applicants.
Southwest Baptist University landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bolivar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,566. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $19,550. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southwest Baptist University earn a median of $30,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Culver Stockton College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Canton, Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,875. Students borrow a median of $27,252 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Culver Stockton College generally make around $38,725. That is a strong return on a $27,252 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Rockhurst University earned the #19 position for value in health & physical education this year. Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,966. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Rockhurst University generally make around $70,849. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
William Woods University came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Fulton, William Woods University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,340. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,545. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $24,329. Set against $25,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Woods University admits about 71% of applicants.
Columbia College Missouri earned the #21 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Columbia, Columbia College Missouri is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,276. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $29,213 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $47,962. That is a strong return on a $29,213 median debt.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,620. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,633. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $47,538. Set against $24,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Missouri Baptist University landed the #23 spot for health & physical education value this year. Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $33,122. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Missouri Baptist University generally make around $39,737. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,166 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Maryville University Of Saint Louis earn a median of $32,480 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Westminster College Missouri ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Fulton, Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,214 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,170. Health & Physical Education graduates of Westminster College Missouri earn a median of $37,667 early in their careers. Set against $26,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 26 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
