2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Michigan
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 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 Michigan
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 Delta College the best value for a degree in health & physical education in Michigan. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,342. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #2 place for health & physical education. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Oakland University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $19,135. 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. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #5 makes Lake Superior State University one of the best values for health & physical education. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,429. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $47,910 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Michigan Technological University earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,091 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Wayne State University placed #7 among the best values for health & physical education. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $31,021 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,910. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University earned the #10 position for value in health & physical education this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,300. Health & Physical Education graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $29,913 early in their careers. Set against $26,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Albion College came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Albion College earn a median of $30,314 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #12 spot for health & physical education value this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,894 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $34,499 early in their careers. Set against $26,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Siena Heights University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,778. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Siena Heights University admits about 69% of applicants.
Madonna University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,440. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,896. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $56,984. Set against $26,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $22,113 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Aquinas College Michigan came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,218. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $27,301 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Michigan State University placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,279. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rochester College earned the #19 position for value in health & physical education this year. Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $29,196 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $45,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Davenport University earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Grand Rapids, Davenport University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,466. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Davenport University generally make around $34,380. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Spring Arbor University landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,014. Students borrow a median of $28,268 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,080. That is a strong return on a $28,268 median debt. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Adrian College came in at #22 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,684. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Adrian College generally make around $36,808. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Olivet College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Olivet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,068. Students borrow a median of $29,578 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Olivet College earn a median of $24,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Cornerstone University earned the #24 position for value in health & physical education this year. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $23,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $27,327 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornerstone University admits about 78% of applicants.
Calvin College landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,833. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $26,309. That is a strong return on a $24,833 median debt. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
