by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Fitness Technician](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/physical-fitness-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 164 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical fitness technician schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical fitness technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in physical fitness technician, no school beat Universidad Metropolitana this year. Set in the city of San Juan, Universidad Metropolitana is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750. Students borrow a median of $15,074 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $26,716. Set against $15,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #2 place for physical fitness technician. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $24,449 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $34,575 early in their careers. Set against $24,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical fitness technician, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ponce, Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,650. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce generally make around $18,132. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pontifical Catholic University Of Puerto Rico Ponce admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Southern Indiana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical fitness technician, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $22,375. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $35,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical fitness technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $32,651. That is a strong return on a $21,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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Wichita State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $49,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northern Arizona University came in at #7 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $19,650 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $28,769. That is a strong return on a $19,650 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Trevecca Nazarene University earned the #8 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Trevecca Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $31,300 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,962 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Trevecca Nazarene University earn a median of $52,004 early in their careers. Set against $24,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Trevecca Nazarene University admits about 69% of applicants.
Lander University earned the #9 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,700 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,300 for out-of-state students. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $24,995 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Lander University earn a median of $27,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College placed #10 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $31,253 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Wayne State College came in at #11 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,043 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $35,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Michigan University earned the #12 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $32,850. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Park University came in at #13 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,116. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $27,576. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Park University earn a median of $28,945 early in their careers. Set against $27,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
East Carolina University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $29,797 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #16 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Suny College At Cortland ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $25,681 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $28,289 early in their careers. Set against $25,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Aquinas College Michigan landed the #18 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,218. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $40,708 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Warner Pacific College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Warner Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,220. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $41,254 in student loans. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $31,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Emory And Henry College placed #20 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. Students from in state pay about $39,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $28,146. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Bryan University Los Angeles placed #21 among the best values for physical fitness technician. Set in the city of Tempe, Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,219. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $16,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Bryan University Los Angeles generally make around $32,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Averett University came in at #22 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Averett University generally make around $36,908. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cornell College came in at #23 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $35,439. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Howard Payne University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Set in the town of Brownwood, Howard Payne University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,982. Physical Fitness Technician graduates carry a median of $24,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Howard Payne University generally make around $45,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences earned the #25 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,620. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $24,633. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Central Methodist University College Of Liberal Arts And Sciences generally make around $47,538. Set against $24,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for physical fitness technician this year:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Physical Fitness Technician rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 164 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
