2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Illinois
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Triton College tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in Illinois. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Harper College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Lake County one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,750. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $28,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,425 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,187. That is a strong return on a $21,425 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Millikin University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $26,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,418 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $49,254. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $33,473 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,237 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $34,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,776. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,705 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Concordia University Chicago placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Students borrow a median of $26,166 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $40,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,166 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Quincy University earned the #16 position for value in health & physical education this year. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $37,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,691. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Quincy University generally make around $46,414. Set against $26,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Quincy University admits about 51% of applicants.
North Park University earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,495 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Lewis University landed the #18 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $28,856. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Aurora University landed the #19 spot for health & physical education value this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $37,256 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $37,059. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth College came in at #21 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,922 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Monmouth College generally make around $29,027. That is a strong return on a $25,757 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Elmhurst College earned the #22 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,375. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,538. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.
Greenville College placed #23 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,445 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Greenville College admits about 98% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #24 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $28,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Eureka College placed #25 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Eureka, Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,636. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,619 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $40,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
