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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Ohio

27 Colleges in the United States
$25,416 Avg Student Debt
$51,450 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Badge [Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.

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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Ohio

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

Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

1

Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in Ohio. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for health & physical education. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Columbus State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,393 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $30,661. That is a strong return on a $26,393 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

5

A rank of #5 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,137. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

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Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Hocking College earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,535. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,713. That is a strong return on a $16,535 median debt.

7

Cleveland State University came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,787. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

8

University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #8 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $34,060. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

9

College Of Mount St Joseph placed #9 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $31,870. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.

10

Shawnee State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,878. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.

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11

Wright State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for health & physical education. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $35,640. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12
Marietta College crest
Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,652. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $79,641. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

13

Kent State University At Kent earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $36,030. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University earned the #14 position for value in health & physical education this year. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,940. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $40,093. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

15
Bluffton University crest
Bluffton University
Bluffton, OH

Bluffton University placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,362 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $28,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.

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Central State University crest
Central State University
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University came in at #16 for value in health & physical education this year. Central State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wilberforce. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $31,318 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Central State University earn a median of $27,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

17

Ohio University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $45,420. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

18
Walsh University crest
Walsh University
North Canton, OH

Walsh University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $33,030. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,805. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $53,629. Set against $26,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

19

Ohio Dominican University came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,720. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Ohio Dominican University generally make around $40,467. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio Dominican University admits about 94% of applicants.

20

Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $31,919. Set against $25,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

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University Of Northwestern Ohio came in at #21 for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,366. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Northwestern Ohio generally make around $44,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Muskingum University crest
Muskingum University
New Concord, OH

Muskingum University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Concord. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,701. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $16,067. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Muskingum University admits about 82% of applicants.

23
Lourdes College crest
Lourdes College
Sylvania, OH

Lourdes College earned the #23 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Sylvania, Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,370 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,668 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lourdes College earn a median of $75,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

24

Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #24 spot for health & physical education value this year. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Students from in state pay about $27,193 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,602. Health & Physical Education graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

25

Ohio Wesleyan University earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Ohio Wesleyan University generally make around $28,294. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

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

26
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
27
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
28
Lake Erie College crest
Lake Erie College
Painesville, OH
29
30
31
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
32
33
Wilmington College crest
Wilmington College
Wilmington, OH
34
Malone University crest
Malone University
Canton, OH
35
Capital University crest
Capital University
Columbus, OH
36
Defiance College crest
Defiance College
Defiance, OH
37
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH
38
Tiffin University crest
Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH
39
40
41
42
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
43
44
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
45
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH

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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 · 64 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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