2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Master’s Degree Schools
[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health & physical education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1421 schools to find the best return on investment for health & physical education students.
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2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the United States
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 University Of Florida the best value for a degree in health & physical education in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $50,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $26,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for health & physical education. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $15,110 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $60,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for health & physical education. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,481 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $33,141 early in their careers. Set against $14,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $18,660. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $53,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $49,357. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #7 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $44,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in health & physical education this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $42,725. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $20,659. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $50,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #10 position for value in health & physical education this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. That is a strong return on a $22,188 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #11 for value in health & physical education this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Florida State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $39,740 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,249 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System landed the #15 spot for health & physical education value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $19,312. Health & Physical Education graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $59,601 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,312 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #16 among the best values for health & physical education. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Texas Womans University came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $20,167 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $55,110 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,167 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #18 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $16,575. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,637. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. 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%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $25,349 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $30,655. Set against $25,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
San Jose State University placed #21 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #22 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,102 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,123. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #23 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Southern Utah University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $14,352. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,092. That is a strong return on a $14,352 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University earned the #25 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s health & physical education value ranking:
Other Health & Physical Education Degree Levels
Explore the best-value health & physical education schools at other degree levels:
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1421 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 193 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.
