2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Pennsylvania
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 68 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 Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Bucks County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montgomery County Community College earned it the #2 place for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,219 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Montgomery County Community College earn a median of $39,025 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,219 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Lehigh Carbon Community College one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,450. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,303 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $33,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $37,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in health & physical education this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
York College Pennsylvania landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $35,739. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,486. Health & Physical Education graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,441 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford placed #11 among the best values for health & physical education. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bradford. Students from in state pay about $14,770 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,644 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Bradford generally make around $24,916. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Westminster College Pa came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,290. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,528 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $41,105. Set against $26,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Seton Hill University landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $32,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Kings College came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,100. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $45,414. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kings College admits about 93% of applicants.
Thiel College earned the #16 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Greenville, Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,344. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Keystone College earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of La Plume, Keystone College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,300. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,981. Health & Physical Education graduates of Keystone College earn a median of $21,026 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Keystone College admits about 85% of applicants.
Gannon University landed the #18 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,390. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,390 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Lancaster Bible College placed #19 among the best values for health & physical education. Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lancaster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,990. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $28,507. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Lancaster Bible College generally make around $35,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Reading. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $30,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Chatham University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,001. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,453. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $61,339. Set against $26,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
Arcadia University placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Eastern University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $50,474 early in their careers. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rest of the Top 36 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
This list is compiled 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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
