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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Associate’s Degree Schools

12 Colleges in the United States
$11,829 Avg Student Debt
$42,810 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Associate's Degree Badge [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.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the United States

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

1
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for health & physical education in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.

2

South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. 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.

3
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Pasadena City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #5 place for health & physical education. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $8,098. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

7
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons came in at #7 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $9,776. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.

9
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.

10

Fresno City College landed the #10 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.

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San Diego Mesa College landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
College Of San Mateo crest
College Of San Mateo
San Mateo, CA

College Of San Mateo ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College placed #14 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.

15
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College landed the #15 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,707. Health & Physical Education graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Santiago Canyon College placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,500. Health & Physical Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Mt San Antonio College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $6,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $19,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.

19
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

20
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College placed #21 among the best values for health & physical education. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana College came in at #22 for value in health & physical education this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.

23

El Paso Community College came in at #23 for value in health & physical education this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $21,750. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College earned the #24 position for value in health & physical education this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.

25
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA

Moreno Valley College landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:

26
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA
27
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA
28
29
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA
30
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
31
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA
32
Hartnell College crest
Hartnell College
Salinas, CA
33
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
34
35
Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA
36
37
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
38
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA
39
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
40
41
42
43
Merced College crest
Merced College
Merced, CA
44
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
45
Butte College crest
Butte College
Oroville, CA
46
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA
47
48
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
49
50

Other Health & Physical Education Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Health & Physical Education rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Health & Physical Education
Bachelor's Degrees in Health & Physical Education
Master's Degrees in Health & Physical Education
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View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >

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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 · 1421 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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