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

532 Colleges in the United States
$23,885 Avg Student Debt
$52,744 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Bachelor's Degree Badge [Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

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

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $39,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for health & physical education. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $13,629. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,101. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $28,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $39,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

5

Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #5. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,481 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $23,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

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6

California State University San Bernardino ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,000. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

7

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $17,318. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,349. That is a strong return on a $17,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

8

California State University Fresno placed #8 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $26,931. That is a strong return on a $14,314 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

9

California State University Stanislaus placed #9 among the best values for health & physical education. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,085 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $25,414 early in their careers. Set against $17,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

10

Cuny Lehman College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $10,861 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $29,538 early in their careers. Set against $10,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

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11

Cuny Queens College came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $16,236. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

12

Texas A And M International University earned the #12 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $19,327 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $24,867. Set against $19,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.

13

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $27,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

14

California State University Bakersfield earned the #14 position for value in health & physical education this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.

15

California State University Northridge earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,952. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

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16
Berea College crest
Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,428. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.

17

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $18,660. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

18

Farmingdale State College earned the #18 position for value in health & physical education this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,717. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

19

California State University Long Beach ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $22,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

20

Florida Atlantic University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,659 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $30,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,659 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

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21

Indiana University Kokomo placed #21 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,619. Health & Physical Education graduates of Indiana University Kokomo earn a median of $46,902 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

22

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in health & physical education this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

23

California State University Sacramento placed #23 among the best values for health & physical education. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $18,129 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

24

Utah Valley University placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,252. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,905. Set against $15,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

University Of Central Florida came in at #25 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

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
27
28
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
29
30
31
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
39
40
College Of The Ozarks crest
College Of The Ozarks
Point Lookout, MO
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

The following schools rounded out the strongest health & physical education values:

Rank College Location
#51 Oklahoma Panhandle State University Goodwell, OK Full Report
#52 Texas A And M University Commerce Commerce, TX Full Report
#53 The University Of Tennessee Martin Martin, TN Full Report
#54 University Of North Carolina At Greensboro Greensboro, NC Full Report
#55 University Of Houston Clear Lake Houston, TX Full Report
#56 Truman State University Kirksville, MO Full Report
#57 University Of Georgia Athens, GA Full Report
#58 Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT Full Report
#59 The University Of Texas At El Paso El Paso, TX Full Report
#60 Utah State University Logan, UT Full Report
#61 University Of Wyoming Laramie, WY Full Report
#62 University Of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AK Full Report
#63 Weber State University Ogden, UT Full Report
#64 Louisiana State University Alexandria Alexandria, LA Full Report
#65 University Of Southern Indiana Evansville, IN Full Report
#66 The University Of Texas At San Antonio San Antonio, TX Full Report
#67 University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Full Report
#68 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA Full Report
#69 New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ Full Report
#70 Morehead State University Morehead, KY Full Report
#71 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Full Report
#72 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI Full Report
#73 University Of Missouri St Louis Saint Louis, MO Full Report
#74 Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Full Report
#75 University Of North Alabama Florence, AL Full Report
#76 Rhode Island College Providence, RI Full Report
#77 Kean University Union, NJ Full Report
#78 Arizona State University Tempe, AZ Full Report
#79 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Full Report
#80 East Central University Ada, OK Full Report

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for value in health & physical education:

Rank College Location
#81 Millikin University Decatur, IL Full Report
#82 The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga Chattanooga, TN Full Report
#83 University Of Louisiana Monroe Monroe, LA Full Report
#84 University Of The Cumberlands Williamsburg, KY Full Report
#85 Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY Full Report
#86 Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA Full Report
#87 University Of Mississippi Main Campus University, MS Full Report
#88 West Virginia University Morgantown, WV Full Report
#89 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Full Report
#90 University Of Nebraska At Omaha Omaha, NE Full Report
#91 Georgia Gwinnett College Lawrenceville, GA Full Report
#92 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN Full Report
#93 University Of North Carolina At Pembroke Pembroke, NC Full Report
#94 University Of Guam Mangilao, GU Full Report
#95 Angelo State University San Angelo, TX Full Report
#96 Texas A And M University San Antonio San Antonio, TX Full Report
#97 Texas A And M University Kingsville Kingsville, TX Full Report
#98 Lamar University Beaumont, TX Full Report
#99 Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK Full Report
#100 University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Champaign, IL Full Report
#101 Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, IN Full Report
#102 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Full Report
#103 Cameron University Lawton, OK Full Report
#104 University Of Houston Houston, TX Full Report
#105 Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO Full Report
#106 Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX Full Report
#107 Mcneese State University Lake Charles, LA Full Report

Other Health & Physical Education Degree Levels

Explore the best-value health & physical education schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Health & Physical Education
Associate's Degrees in Health & Physical Education
Master's Degrees in Health & Physical Education
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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 · 1421 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 532 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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