2026 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for outdoor health & physical education/fitness students.
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2026 Best Value Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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
Monroe Community College earned the #1 spot for value among outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $12,921 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Niagara County Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Early-career outdoor health & physical education/fitness graduates make about $36,258. That is a strong return on a $13,970 median debt.
Saint Peters College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $25,051 in student loans. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $19,735 early in their careers. Set against $25,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Canisius College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value outdoor health & physical education/fitness schools. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Canisius College earn a median of $35,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in outdoor health & physical education/fitness, landing the #5 spot this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #6 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for outdoor health & physical education/fitness. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the outdoor health & physical education/fitness program here. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $35,411 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Adelphi University came in at #8 for value in outdoor health & physical education/fitness this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. 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 Adelphi University generally make around $51,037. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Howard University landed the #9 spot for outdoor health & physical education/fitness value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,810. Outdoor Health & Physical Education/fitness graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, outdoor health & physical education/fitness degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $30,733. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
