2026 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/health-and-physical-education-fitness-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong outdoor health & physical education/fitness education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools to find the best return on investment for outdoor health & physical education/fitness students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the outdoor health & physical education/fitness degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Georgia, our #1 best value for outdoor health & physical education/fitness in the United States. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $36,740. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
A rank of #2 makes Weber State University one of the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $19,588 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $39,059. Set against $19,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,170 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $32,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,170 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,034 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Lewis Clark State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, with out-of-state students paying around $22,028. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $21,475. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Lewis Clark State College generally make around $33,176. That is a strong return on a $21,475 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Missouri Southern State University landed the #6 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $24,947 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $34,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Arkansas Tech University earned the #7 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,674, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $23,257 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $45,115. That is a strong return on a $23,257 median debt. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #8 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $28,315. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Valdosta State University came in at #9 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $23,364. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $21,787. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $59,053. Set against $21,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Hawaii landed the #11 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Laie. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Saint Peters College earned the #12 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,051 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $19,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
San Diego State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $51,162 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #14 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $36,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #15 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $26,000. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $29,866 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson State University earned the #16 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. The acceptance rate is 37%.
Tennessee Wesleyan College landed the #17 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Tennessee Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,814. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $29,750. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Tennessee Wesleyan College generally make around $58,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Sacred Heart ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the city of Santurce, University Of Sacred Heart is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $14,493 in student loans. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of University Of Sacred Heart earn a median of $24,742 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,493 median debt. University Of Sacred Heart admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #19 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago placed #20 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $26,166. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $58,760. Set against $26,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Chicago admits about 93% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $28,250. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Canisius College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $26,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #25 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,645. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Grace College And Theological Seminary generally make around $32,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness:
Other Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness rankings across degree levels:
View All Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Rankings >
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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
