2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 202 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
For return on investment in health & physical education, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $50,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for health & physical education. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $10,861. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $29,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $16,236 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suffolk County Community College earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #5 spot this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College earned the #6 position for value in health & physical education this year. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,850 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $38,734 early in their careers. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $29,717. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,868. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $8,224. Health & Physical Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercer County Community College earned the #11 position for value in health & physical education this year. Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of West Windsor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College came in at #12 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Students borrow a median of $14,218 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Union County College earn a median of $38,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,218 median debt.
Burlington County College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,990, compared with $9,495 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $12,488. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Burlington County College generally make around $52,240. Set against $12,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Onondaga Community College landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Students borrow a median of $12,623 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.
Erie Community College came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College landed the #16 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,909. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris earned the #17 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, compared with $14,310 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of County College Of Morris earn a median of $30,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Bucks County Community College earned the #18 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Bucks County Community College earn a median of $37,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hagerstown Community College placed #19 among the best values for health & physical education. Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hagerstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, with out-of-state students paying around $8,190. Students borrow a median of $15,126 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College landed the #20 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $27,179. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College came in at #21 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $38,757 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College earned the #22 position for value in health & physical education this year. Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Sanborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $13,970. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,258. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dutchess Community College landed the #24 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,670, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $11,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $32,978. Set against $11,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Broome Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,830 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $41,560. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in health & physical education:
Narrow Health & Physical Education Schools by State
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 202 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
