2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in South Dakota
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in South Dakota
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
Our analysis ranked Black Hills State University the best value for a degree in health & physical education in South Dakota. Set in the town of Spearfish, Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,916, compared with $12,018 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 $34,142. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Black Hills State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at South Dakota State University, which ranked #2. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $41,595. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Northern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. In-state tuition and fees average $8,845, with out-of-state students paying around $11,947. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northern State University earn a median of $40,424 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Dakota came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,322. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $51,566. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Dakota State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $12,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,724 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Dakota State University generally make around $51,970. That is a strong return on a $28,724 median debt. Dakota State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Sioux Falls earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,146. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls generally make around $34,839. Set against $24,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Mount Marty College earned the #7 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Yankton, Mount Marty College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $108,425. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Marty College admits about 43% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Sioux Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,160. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $50,088. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
