2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in New Jersey
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 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 New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Mercer County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among health & physical education schools in New Jersey. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,250. Health & Physical Education graduates of Mercer County Community College earn a median of $45,389 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $37,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $47,248. 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 Burlington County College, which ranked #4. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,488 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $52,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,671. Health & Physical Education graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $35,909 early in their careers. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,218 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $38,168. Set against $14,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris placed #7 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sussex County Community College earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Newton. Students from in state pay about $5,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $27,179. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.
New Jersey City University landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Gloucester County College placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $13,236. Health & Physical Education graduates of Gloucester County College earn a median of $38,274 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kean University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,949 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $29,907 early in their careers. Set against $26,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,770. Health & Physical Education graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $46,126 early in their careers. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Peters College landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,051 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $19,735. Set against $25,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $29,189. Health & Physical Education graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $31,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,189 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. Set against $24,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Rowan University came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Georgian Court University came in at #18 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Georgian Court University generally make around $54,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgian Court University admits about 79% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #19 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,484. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of New Jersey earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,429. Health & Physical Education graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $56,617 early in their careers. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $39,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Monmouth University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $27,907. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
