2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Iowa
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 36 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Kirkwood Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in Iowa. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,779. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,121. That is a strong return on a $14,956 median debt.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $25,425 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,425 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Buena Vista University earned it the #5 place for health & physical education. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $38,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa landed the #6 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,813. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $32,737 early in their careers. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Coe College came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,666. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $44,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Clarke University came in at #8 for value in health & physical education this year. Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. In-state tuition and fees average $40,910. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $31,013 early in their careers. Set against $26,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Loras College earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,493. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,921. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $43,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University earned the #11 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $61,105. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waldorf College landed the #12 spot for health & physical education value this year. Waldorf College is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the rural area of Forest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,978. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,622 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,622 median debt. Waldorf College admits about 77% of applicants.
Simpson College came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,656. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Simpson College generally make around $38,158. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Simpson College admits about 86% of applicants.
William Penn University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. In-state tuition and fees average $29,750. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $30,314. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Wartburg College earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University came in at #16 for value in health & physical education this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. In-state tuition and fees average $36,658. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $26,608. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University placed #17 among the best values for health & physical education. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,641 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,361. That is a strong return on a $25,641 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Dubuque placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,095. Students borrow a median of $27,560 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern College Iowa placed #19 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $54,845. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell College placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Dordt College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Luther College came in at #22 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Luther College generally make around $42,426. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.
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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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
