2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Massachusetts
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 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 Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Leading the list is Fitchburg State University, our #1 best value for health & physical education in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,218. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Bridgewater State University, which ranked #2. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Students borrow a median of $26,632 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. That is a strong return on a $26,632 median debt. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,808. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,703. Set against $26,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,574. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westfield State University earned it the #5 place for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $32,456 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $36,419 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,227 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Salem State University came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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.
Lasell College earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,040. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Lasell College generally make around $40,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
American International College earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,230. 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. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Smith College came in at #10 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,642. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Fisher College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Boston, Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,689. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $28,590. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fisher College admits about 71% of applicants.
Simmons College landed the #12 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $48,876. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $39,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Curry College came in at #14 for value in health & physical education this year. Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milton. Students from in state pay about $47,570 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,571 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $59,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Curry College admits about 88% of applicants.
Dean College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,526. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Dean College earn a median of $28,609 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Nichols College came in at #16 for value in health & physical education this year. Nichols College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dudley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,705. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Nichols College earn a median of $32,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Nichols College admits about 81% of applicants.
Western New England University came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Western New England University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $47,820 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $26,544. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants.
Merrimack College landed the #18 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,913. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
Endicott College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,338. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $51,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% 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. 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
