2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Ohio
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 64 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools in Ohio. 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. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the health & physical education program here. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for health & physical education. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $39,394. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Youngstown State University earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,393 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $30,661. That is a strong return on a $26,393 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,137. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Hocking College earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,535. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,713. That is a strong return on a $16,535 median debt.
Cleveland State University came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,787. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #8 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $34,060. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
College Of Mount St Joseph placed #9 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,150 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $31,870. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Shawnee State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,878. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for health & physical education. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $35,640. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Marietta College placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,652. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Marietta College generally make around $79,641. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $36,030. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Wittenberg University earned the #14 position for value in health & physical education this year. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,940. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $40,093. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Bluffton University placed #15 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the rural area of Bluffton, Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,362 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $28,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Central State University came in at #16 for value in health & physical education this year. Central State University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wilberforce. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, with out-of-state students paying around $10,058. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $31,318 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Central State University earn a median of $27,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $45,420. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Walsh University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $33,030. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,805. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $53,629. Set against $26,805 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Dominican University came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,720. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Ohio Dominican University generally make around $40,467. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio Dominican University admits about 94% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $31,919. Set against $25,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northwestern Ohio came in at #21 for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,366. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Northwestern Ohio generally make around $44,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Muskingum University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Concord. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,701. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $16,067. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Muskingum University admits about 82% of applicants.
Lourdes College earned the #23 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Sylvania, Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,370 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,668 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Lourdes College earn a median of $75,250 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University landed the #24 spot for health & physical education value this year. Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. Students from in state pay about $27,193 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,602. Health & Physical Education graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio Wesleyan University earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Ohio Wesleyan University generally make around $28,294. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 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
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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
