2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Illinois
[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.
College Factual analyzed 32 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value health & physical education schools.
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2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Illinois
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 Triton College the best value for a degree in health & physical education in Illinois. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,874. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,344. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harper College earned it the #5 place for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,523. That is a strong return on a $10,963 median debt.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #6 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,776. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #7 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $21,425 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #8 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $36,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Western Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $33,473. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #12 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,237 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $34,811. Set against $23,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Lewis University placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $28,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
North Park University came in at #14 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Students borrow a median of $25,495 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $30,165. Set against $25,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Eureka College earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Eureka, Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,636. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,619. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Eureka College generally make around $40,144. That is a strong return on a $26,619 median debt. Eureka College admits about 85% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of River Forest. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,166. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $40,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Monmouth College placed #17 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,922. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,757. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Monmouth College admits about 91% of applicants.
Judson University came in at #18 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,297. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,685 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Judson University generally make around $47,550. Set against $27,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Aurora University earned the #19 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $37,059. Set against $21,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Palos Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,605. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $28,722. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $48,400. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Trinity Christian College admits about 85% of applicants.
Greenville College landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,200. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,445 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,911. That is a strong return on a $27,445 median debt. Greenville College admits about 98% of applicants.
Quincy University placed #23 among the best values for health & physical education. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Quincy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,140. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Quincy University generally make around $46,414. That is a strong return on a $26,691 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,726. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $34,609. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $28,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
