2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 149 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked Triton College the best value for a degree in health & physical education in the Great Lakes Region. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Oakland University one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $42,490. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,750. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $28,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Saint Xavier University came in at #6 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,735. Health & Physical Education graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the health & physical education program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,344. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,160 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $33,756 early in their careers. Set against $24,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Sinclair Community College came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Harper College landed the #12 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $40,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne State University landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,568. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Southern Indiana earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,425. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $31,187 early in their careers. Set against $21,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,776. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,349 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $30,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,349 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #20 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $36,582. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Saginaw Valley State University landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $31,021. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #22 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,418. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,011. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #23 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Michigan Technological University landed the #24 spot for health & physical education value this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $20,091. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $26,393 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 149 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 149 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.
