[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 1421 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
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Finding the Best Value Health & Physical Education School for You
The health & physical education program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $45,046. Set against $19,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $17,075. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $22,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,629 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $50,584. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $40,977. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College landed the #6 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #7 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #8 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $8,098. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $41,038. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $28,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College earned the #10 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Oxnard College came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Fresno City College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida Online came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $39,717 early in their careers. Set against $19,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #16 for value in health & physical education this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,481. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $28,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
College Of San Mateo landed the #18 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $29,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
Saddleback College landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Cerritos College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $11,306. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #23 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,318 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,349. That is a strong return on a $17,318 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,692. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $80,047. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fresno landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. Set against $14,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
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 · 1421 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 552 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).
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
