2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

[Health & Physical Education](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 31 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 Rocky Mountains 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 Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for health & physical education in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,252. Health & Physical Education graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $31,905 early in their careers. Set against $15,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laramie County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,613, while out-of-state students pay about $10,913. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,309. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $51,302. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salt Lake Community College earned it the #3 place for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #4 place for health & physical education. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $30,092. Set against $14,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in health & physical education will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $19,588. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $39,059. Set against $19,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Aims Community College landed the #6 spot for health & physical education value this year. Aims Community College is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $2,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,786. Students borrow a median of $11,199 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Colorado State University Pueblo came in at #7 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $34,865. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming placed #8 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,101. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $31,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Adams State College landed the #9 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,451. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $30,045. That is a strong return on a $21,451 median debt.
Utah State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Montana State University Northern landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. Montana State University Northern is a small public school located in the town of Havre. In-state tuition and fees average $6,982, compared with $21,875 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,855 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Montana State University Northern earn a median of $50,896 early in their careers. Set against $23,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Idaho landed the #12 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $27,484 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,292 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $41,161. Set against $22,292 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mesa State College placed #14 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,900. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $31,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #15 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $9,281 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $25,253. Set against $9,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis Clark State College came in at #16 for value in health & physical education this year. Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lewiston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,610, while out-of-state students pay about $22,028. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $21,475. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $33,176. That is a strong return on a $21,475 median debt. Lewis Clark State College admits about 88% of applicants.
Dixie State College Of Utah placed #17 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,246. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $18,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Dixie State College Of Utah generally make around $30,912. That is a strong return on a $18,437 median debt.
Montana State University Billings came in at #18 for value in health & physical education this year. Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Billings. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, while out-of-state students pay about $22,897. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,465. Health & Physical Education graduates of Montana State University Billings earn a median of $48,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Montana Western ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. The University Of Montana Western is a small public school located in the town of Dillon. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,130. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $22,484. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Set against $22,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Western State College Of Colorado placed #20 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $25,050. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Western State College Of Colorado generally make around $21,038. Set against $25,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College came in at #21 for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $15,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $24,419. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Great Falls ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,448 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,847. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Great Falls earn a median of $104,670 early in their careers. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $24,500. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $40,585. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Regis University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,140. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Regis University generally make around $72,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The College Of Idaho landed the #25 spot for health & physical education value this year. Set in the suburb of Caldwell, The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,845 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $23,789. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Rest of the Top 31 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
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Notes and References
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.