2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Minnesota
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 40 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 Minnesota
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 Alexandria Technical And Community College, our #1 best value for health & physical education in Minnesota. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,236. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,054. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Alexandria Technical And Community College generally make around $45,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,050 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Southwest Minnesota State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,361 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $32,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
A rank of #4 makes Bemidji State University one of the best values for health & physical education. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,898. Health & Physical Education graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $32,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,898 median debt. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Winona State University earned it the #5 place for health & physical education. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $41,742. Set against $25,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,500. Health & Physical Education graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $38,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #7 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $29,156. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $39,033. Set against $29,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #8 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,629 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $33,055. That is a strong return on a $23,629 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,420. Health & Physical Education graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $42,512 early in their careers. Set against $24,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Hamline University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,530. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $48,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
St Catherine University landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, St Catherine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,428. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of St Catherine University earn a median of $60,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. St Catherine University admits about 92% of applicants.
St Olaf College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $33,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Augsburg College came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,452. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Augsburg College earn a median of $37,473 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northwestern College Minnesota came in at #14 for value in health & physical education this year. Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Students from in state pay about $37,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,562 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,176. That is a strong return on a $23,562 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Gustavus Adolphus College placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,076 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $38,796. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Crown College placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,410. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $29,537. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,695. Set against $29,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Bethel University Minnesota earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,226. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Bethel University Minnesota generally make around $31,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Set against $23,923 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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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 · 40 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.
