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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools in the Southwest Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$15,027 Avg Student Debt
$45,517 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Badge [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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for physical fitness technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical fitness technician, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Physical Fitness Technician Schools

1

For return on investment in physical fitness technician, no school beat South Texas College this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $22,699 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

A rank of #2 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for physical fitness technician. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $10,112. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Austin Community College District came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $14,625. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,625 median debt.

4
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Students looking for strong value in physical fitness technician will find it at Yavapai College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $14,087. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in physical fitness technician will find it at Glendale Community College Glendale Az, which ranked #5. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the physical fitness technician program here. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #6 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $10,447. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $46,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Mesa Community College came in at #7 for value in physical fitness technician this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $13,750. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.

8

Arizona State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical fitness technician schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $21,170. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

9

Northern Arizona University earned the #9 position for value in physical fitness technician this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $19,650. Early-career physical fitness technician graduates make about $28,769. Set against $19,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Bryan University Los Angeles landed the #10 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. Bryan University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,219. Typical student debt for physical fitness technician graduates is $16,223. Soon after graduation, physical fitness technician degree recipients from Bryan University Los Angeles generally make around $32,969. Set against $16,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Howard Payne University landed the #11 spot for physical fitness technician value this year. 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. Physical Fitness Technician graduates of Howard Payne University earn a median of $45,660 early in their careers. Set against $24,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Howard Payne University admits about 67% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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