[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 261 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $19,982. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $50,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,314. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $26,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $44,961. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Bakersfield one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $14,481 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $33,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,551. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $49,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,659 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $50,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,659 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,188 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #10 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $47,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,249. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,961 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #13 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $18,750. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,740. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $28,364 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. The acceptance rate is 77%.
American Public University System ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $59,601. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Utah University landed the #17 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,352. Health & Physical Education graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $30,092 early in their careers. Set against $14,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos earned the #18 position for value in health & physical education this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,257 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $26,203. That is a strong return on a $18,257 median debt. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #19 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $41,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #20 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,102. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $29,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #21 for value in health & physical education this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,049 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $23,010. Set against $21,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $20,167 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $55,110. That is a strong return on a $20,167 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Georgia ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $47,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #24 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
East Central University came in at #25 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,200. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:
This list is compiled 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 · 261 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 261 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).
[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.
