2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in California
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
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among health & physical education schools in California. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. 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. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Skyline College one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. 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.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa 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. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Oxnard College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Cerritos College placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of San Mateo landed the #7 spot for health & physical education value this year. 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. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. 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. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $7,234. Health & Physical Education graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #10 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $9,776. 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.
West Valley College came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #12 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. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, 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.
Reedley College came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,643. Health & Physical Education graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Ventura College earned the #16 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $20,250. Health & Physical Education graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #17 among the best values for health & physical education. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Shasta College placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Norco College came in at #21 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,203 median debt.
Grossmont College placed #22 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #23 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $17,318. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $25,349. Set against $17,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hartnell College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,404 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,398. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
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 · 167 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
