2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 217 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Harper College the best value for a degree in health & physical education in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Triton College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Macomb Community College, which ranked #4. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Delta College one of the best values for health & physical education. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,075. Health & Physical Education graduates of Delta College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.
Sinclair Community College placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,160 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $33,756. Set against $24,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #9 among the best values for health & physical education. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,636. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Xavier University placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,735. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,874. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Columbus State Community College earned the #12 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Indiana University Kokomo landed the #13 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Indiana University Kokomo generally make around $46,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #14 for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $42,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #18 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,349 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $30,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,425 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,418. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #22 position for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #23 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,306. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #24 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $17,600. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $49,254. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 217 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 93 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
