2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the New England 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.
College Factual analyzed 48 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 the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health & physical education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Leading the list is University Of Massachusetts Lowell, our #1 best value for health & physical education in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Rhode Island College one of the best values for health & physical education. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhode Island College admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Southern Maine earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $29,478. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
A rank of #4 makes Fitchburg State University one of the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,218. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #5. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Westfield State University placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $32,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $35,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Salem State University placed #8 among the best values for health & physical education. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $31,755. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #9 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Maine came in at #10 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Vermont Technical College landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $37,493. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Keene State College placed #12 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,784, with out-of-state students paying around $26,840. Students borrow a median of $26,892 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $29,990. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Vermont came in at #13 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,163. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $27,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #14 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Plymouth State University came in at #15 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $51,687. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #16 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,227 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $36,419. That is a strong return on a $26,227 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Husson University placed #17 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Bangor, Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $28,769 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Husson University earn a median of $37,993 early in their careers. Set against $28,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $24,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Thomas College earned the #19 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,824. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Thomas College generally make around $38,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut came in at #20 for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $40,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #21 spot for health & physical education value this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $32,603. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Norwich University landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Norwich University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,500. Health & Physical Education graduates of Norwich University earn a median of $33,805 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
American International College placed #23 among the best values for health & physical education. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $30,390 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $66,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Simmons College placed #24 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $48,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Post University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,922. Students borrow a median of $31,250 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Post University generally make around $29,592. Set against $31,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.