2027 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Master’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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for outdoor health & physical education/fitness students.
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2027 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Georgia the best value for a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness in the United States. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $47,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $23,034. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $50,876. Set against $23,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness will find it at San Diego State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $51,162. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $31,000. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $38,630 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $36,050. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $29,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $26,167 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $42,288. That is a strong return on a $26,167 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Randolph College came in at #8 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,310. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #9 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $43,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Gardner Webb University placed #10 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $63,220. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
Canisius College landed the #11 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $27,000. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $44,749 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary placed #12 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $26,000. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $65,565. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #13 position for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $32,252 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $46,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University placed #14 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $47,696 early in their careers. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University came in at #15 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $44,487. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary came in at #16 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Winona Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $29,645. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $23,250. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Grace College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $32,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Alabama placed #17 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $24,496. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Emmanuel College Georgia came in at #18 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Emmanuel College Georgia is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Franklin Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $25,500. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $26,670. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Emmanuel College Georgia generally make around $30,093. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. Emmanuel College Georgia admits about 74% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,024 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $31,919. Set against $25,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
William Penn University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,750. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $30,314. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Penn University admits about 52% of applicants.
Lasell College came in at #21 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,040. 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 Lasell College generally make around $44,366. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Saint Marys College Of California came in at #22 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Set in the suburb of Moraga, Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,803. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $24,300 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $59,760. That is a strong return on a $24,300 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Adelphi University placed #23 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. Typical student debt for outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.
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
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
