2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Associate’s Degree Schools
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1421 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health & physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for health & physical education in the United States. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $4,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $22,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #5 place for health & physical education. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $8,098. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $9,776. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Citrus College earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,204, compared with $10,636 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Oxnard College landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Fresno City College landed the #10 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College placed #14 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #15 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,707. Health & Physical Education graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,500. Health & Physical Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $6,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $19,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #18 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Orange Coast College came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
West Valley College earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College placed #21 among the best values for health & physical education. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #22 for value in health & physical education this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #23 for value in health & physical education this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $21,750. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College earned the #24 position for value in health & physical education this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Moreno Valley College landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,643. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Moreno Valley College generally make around $45,515. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:
Other Health & Physical Education Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Health & Physical Education rankings across degree levels:
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1421 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
