2027 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 162 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in health & physical education in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Citrus College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
Shasta College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $4,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $22,699. That is a strong return on a $4,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #5 place for health & physical education. 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. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College landed the #6 spot for health & physical education value this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #7 spot for health & physical education value this year. Santiago Canyon College is a very large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College earned the #8 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. San Diego Miramar 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 $8,098 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Ana College placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $11,196. Health & Physical Education graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College placed #11 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College came in at #14 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Cerritos College came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Oxnard College came in at #16 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
West Valley College landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Utah Valley University came in at #18 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,252 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,905. That is a strong return on a $15,252 median debt.
Antelope Valley College landed the #19 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, compared with $9,548 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,729 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $50,744. Set against $10,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,288. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
Canada College earned the #21 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $106,691. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hartnell College landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
El Paso Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $21,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #24 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. 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.
Ventura College came in at #25 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:
Other Health & Physical Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value health & physical education schools at other degree levels:
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 162 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 162 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.