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2023 Best Value Colleges for Health & Physical Education in the Great Lakes Region

95 Ranked Colleges
9,445 Degrees Awarded
$16,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 67,146 people earned their degree in health and physical education, making the major the 11th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, health and physical education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $31,386 and had an average of $24,576 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 9,445 health and physical education graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,200 and $26,098 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 95 colleges that offer a degree in health and physical education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent health and physical education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the health and physical education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region phys ed students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Health & Physical Education in the Great Lakes Region

1
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Concordia University, Chicago. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 429 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $17,051 for great lakes region phys ed students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Concordia University, Chicago

2
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Michigan University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and it awarded 266 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan also made our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $16,007 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Central Michigan University

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 214 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - La Crosse, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,654 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at UW - La Crosse

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 282 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region phys ed students list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,831 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students per year to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus.

Full OHIO Athens Health & Physical Education Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Grace College and Theological Seminary. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region. Grace College is located in Winona Lake, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Grace College, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,060 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students per year to attend Grace College and Theological Seminary.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Grace College

6

Western Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 64 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Western Illinois University is $15,305 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at WIU

7

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. Grand Valley State University is a public institution located in Allendale, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 290 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GVSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $17,356 for great lakes region phys ed students per year to attend GVSU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Grand Valley State University

8
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 132 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

WMU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,371 for great lakes region phys ed students per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Full WMU Health & Physical Education Report

9

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 130 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SIUE is $14,462 for great lakes region phys ed students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

10

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 53 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students.

Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Health & Physical Education Report

11

Illinois State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 136 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,830 for great lakes region phys ed students per year to attend Illinois State University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State Health & Physical Education Report

12
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

Ashland University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ashland, Ohio is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,974 for great lakes region phys ed students per year to attend Ashland.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Ashland University

13

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 92 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $16,285 for great lakes region phys ed students.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at SIUC

14
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $13,098 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at EIU

15

Northern Illinois University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. NIU is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 98 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students per year to attend NIU.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at NIU

16
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Eastern Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 114 ’s phys ed degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students per year to attend Eastern Michigan.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Eastern Michigan University

17

Youngstown State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Youngstown State University is located in Youngstown, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 74 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,225 for great lakes region phys ed students per year to attend Youngstown State University.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at Youngstown State University

18

University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students per year to attend UW - River Falls.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Health & Physical Education at University of Wisconsin - River Falls

19

University of Wisconsin - Platteville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #19. University of Wisconsin - Platteville is located in Platteville, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Platteville is $14,565 for great lakes region phys ed students.

Full University of Wisconsin - Platteville Health & Physical Education Report

20

Kent State University at Kent landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Kent, Ohio, this large public school awarded 117 degrees to qualified ’s phys ed students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Kent State University at Kent is $19,117 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at Kent State University at Kent

21

With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s phys ed degrees to 87 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UWM is $17,486 for great lakes region phys ed students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

22

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 157 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $18,558 for great lakes region phys ed students per year to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus.

Full Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Health & Physical Education Report

23
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #23. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 131 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also made our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $13,377 for great lakes region phys ed students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Health & Physical Education Report

24
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #24, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 149 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

Ball State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Health & Physical Education Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $14,765 for great lakes region phys ed students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Ball State University Health & Physical Education Report

25

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Phys Ed Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s phys ed degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,346 for Great Lakes Region Phys Ed students.

Read full report on Health & Physical Education at UW - Stevens Point

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Notes and References

References

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