2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Colorado

[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 20 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 Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Adams State College the best value for a degree in health & physical education in Colorado. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,451. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $30,045. That is a strong return on a $21,451 median debt.
Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,117. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,865. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #3. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,292 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $41,161 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mesa State College earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,253. Set against $25,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,050 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $21,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $24,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #7 among the best values for health & physical education. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $40,585. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $35,326 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Regis University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,140. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $31,773 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $36,092 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Colorado Christian University earn a median of $47,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,092 median debt.
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
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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 · 20 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.