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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the New England Region

25 Colleges in the United States
$25,902 Avg Student Debt
$58,504 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the New England Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health & physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

1

For return on investment in health & physical education, no school beat Capital Community College this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,059. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.

2

Fitchburg State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $37,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

3
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

Rhode Island College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

5

Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of Southern Maine, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,478. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

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6

Bridgewater State University placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $48,937. Set against $26,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #7 position for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $37,703. That is a strong return on a $26,808 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

Central Connecticut State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,701. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

9

University Of Rhode Island landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

10

Westfield State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $32,456. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.

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11

Salem State University landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $31,755. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

12

Keene State College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,784 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,990. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

13

Plymouth State University placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $51,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

14

Eastern Connecticut State University placed #14 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,928, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Eastern Connecticut State University generally make around $34,132. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

15
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,163. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $27,835 early in their careers. Set against $22,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.

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16
Husson University crest
Husson University
Bangor, ME

Husson University placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,304. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,769 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,993. That is a strong return on a $28,769 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

17

Vermont Technical College landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

18

University Of Connecticut ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $40,704 early in their careers. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,227. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $36,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

20
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, CT

Post University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $31,250. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Post University generally make around $29,592. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt.

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21

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $32,603. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

Southern Connecticut State University earned the #22 position for value in health & physical education this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $24,029. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Saint Josephs College Of Maine ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,420. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn a median of $35,341 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

24
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA

Lasell College came in at #24 for value in health & physical education this year. Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. Students from in state pay about $27,040 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $40,486 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

25

American International College earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of American International College earn a median of $66,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 46 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:

26
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA
27
Norwich University crest
Norwich University
Northfield, VT
28
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA
29
30
Fisher College crest
Fisher College
Boston, MA
31
Colby Sawyer College crest
Colby Sawyer College
New London, NH
32
Saint Joseph College crest
Saint Joseph College
West Hartford, CT
33
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA
34
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT
35
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA
36
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA
37
Nichols College crest
Nichols College
Dudley, MA
38
Mitchell College crest
Mitchell College
New London, CT
39
40
41
University Of New Haven crest
University Of New Haven
West Haven, CT
42
43
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
44
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA
45
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA
46
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

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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 · 79 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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