2026 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools
[Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/health-and-physical-education-fitness-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 95 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools.
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Finding the Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness School for You
The right outdoor health & physical education/fitness school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2026 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools
Leading the list is College Of Lake County, our #1 best value for outdoor health & physical education/fitness in the United States. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $9,785. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gaston College earned it the #2 place for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness will find it at Holmes Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Wake Technical Community College one of the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Georgia ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $42,341. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Monroe Community College landed the #7 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $12,921. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Niagara County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Students borrow a median of $13,970 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $36,258. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College came in at #9 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
National University College Bayamon placed #10 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Set in the city of Bayamon, National University College Bayamon is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,723 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,886. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $9,007. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $14,767. Set against $9,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University earned the #11 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,588 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $39,059. That is a strong return on a $19,588 median debt.
Brunswick Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Brunswick Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Bolivia. Students from in state pay about $2,553 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,697. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $5,500. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Brunswick Community College earn a median of $47,493 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University came in at #13 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,170 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $23,034. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $23,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Lewis Clark State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $21,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $33,176. That is a strong return on a $21,475 median debt. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri Southern State University came in at #16 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $24,947. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $34,465. That is a strong return on a $24,947 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas Tech University came in at #17 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $23,257 in student loans. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,115 early in their careers. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $33,473. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Valdosta State University came in at #19 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $27,000. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $23,364. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #20 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public school located in the city of Anchorage. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $21,787. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from University Of Alaska Anchorage generally make around $59,053. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brigham Young University Hawaii earned the #21 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Brigham Young University Hawaii generally make around $41,461. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Peters College landed the #22 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $25,051. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $19,735 early in their careers. Set against $25,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
San Diego State University placed #23 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $15,000. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $51,162. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #24 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $36,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $29,866. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness:
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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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
