2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
For return on investment in health & physical education, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for health & physical education. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Skyline College one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Mesa College one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. 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.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cerritos College came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of San Mateo placed #7 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the health & physical education program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Fresno City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $7,234. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #10 spot for health & physical education value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,394, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. 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.
Pasadena City College earned the #11 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
West Valley College placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shasta College came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
Moreno Valley College earned the #14 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $12,643 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Saddleback College landed the #16 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $6,865 median debt.
Ventura College placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Ventura College is a large public school located in the city of Ventura. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Norco College came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. 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 $8,203. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #21 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. 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. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #22 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $17,318. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $25,349 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,318 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #23 for value in health & physical education this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $28,687 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Grossmont College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Imperial Valley College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:
Narrow Health & Physical Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 211 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
