2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Iowa
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health & physical education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools in Iowa
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the health & physical education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
Leading the list is Kirkwood Community College, our #1 best value for health & physical education in Iowa. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $15,779 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $41,681 early in their careers. Set against $15,779 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Iowa Lakes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health & physical education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $46,937. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Iowa State University one of the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $25,425 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $36,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Iowa Western Community College placed #6 among the best values for health & physical education. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $43,444. Set against $15,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coe College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,666. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $44,511. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coe College admits about 64% of applicants.
Mount Mercy University placed #8 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,878. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete the health & physical education program here. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $50,431. That is a strong return on a $27,709 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University earned the #9 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,798. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $38,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Buena Vista University admits about 78% of applicants.
Graceland University Lamoni placed #10 among the best values for health & physical education. Graceland University Lamoni is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lamoni. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,848. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Health & Physical Education graduates of Graceland University Lamoni earn a median of $22,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Waldorf College landed the #11 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the rural area of Forest City, Waldorf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,978. Students borrow a median of $24,622 to complete the health & physical education program here. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Waldorf College generally make around $63,346. That is a strong return on a $24,622 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Loras College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Loras College earn a median of $31,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa earned the #13 position for value in health & physical education this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $32,737 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Grand View University landed the #14 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,762. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $26,921. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $43,236. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Simpson College earned the #15 position for value in health & physical education this year. Located in the town of Indianola, Simpson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $47,656 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Simpson College earn a median of $38,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Upper Iowa University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Students borrow a median of $25,641 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $35,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Luther College came in at #17 for value in health & physical education this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. In-state tuition and fees average $52,120. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Health & Physical Education graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
William Penn University placed #18 among the best values for health & physical education. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,750. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $30,314. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Central College placed #19 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,988. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Central College earn a median of $35,914 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,095. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,560. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $37,528. Set against $27,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Cornell College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Typical student debt for health & physical education graduates is $27,000. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $35,439. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Briar Cliff University landed the #22 spot for health & physical education value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Briar Cliff University earn a median of $61,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clarke University placed #23 among the best values for health & physical education. Located in the city of Dubuque, Clarke University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,910. Students borrow a median of $26,974 to complete the health & physical education program here. Health & Physical Education graduates of Clarke University earn a median of $31,013 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,974 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value health & physical education schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health & physical education degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $26,608. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Dordt College came in at #25 for value in health & physical education this year. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Health & Physical Education graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Early-career health & physical education graduates make about $54,926. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Health & Physical Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health & physical education this year:
More Health & Physical Education Rankings
View All Health & Physical Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
