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Best Value Health and Physical Education/Fitness Colleges in California

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills delivers strong value for Health and Physical Education students with a net cost of just $3,659 annually, nearly $10,000 less than San Jose State's $13,741. The 20 California programs show earnings ranging from $20,748 to $50,856, reflecting the state's varied fitness industry market from community recreation centers to high-end Silicon Valley corporate wellness programs. California's booming wellness sector, driven by tech companies investing heavily in employee health benefits and the state's outdoor recreation culture, creates steady demand for qualified fitness professionals. The Cal Grant program significantly reduces costs at public institutions, with most CSU campuses maintaining in-state tuition around $7,000. While graduation rates vary from 45% to nearly 70%, the relatively low debt loads across programs make California an attractive destination for aspiring fitness educators and trainers.
48
Programs
$3,659 – $50,168
Net Price Range
$27,742
Avg. Program Earnings
60.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

48 Health and Physical Education/Fitness Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $25,194 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $25,889 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,671 $26,643 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
4 $5,646 $25,464 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
5 $5,918 $26,170 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
6 $6,480 $26,469 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
7 $7,599 $29,840 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
8 $5,825 $20,748 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
9 $10,512 $32,162 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
10 $11,276 $33,459 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
11 $8,931 $26,498 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
12 $10,550 $30,891 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
13 $12,882 $34,450 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
14 $11,580 $28,443 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
15 $13,741 $33,281 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
16 $13,801 $29,141 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
17 $13,167 $25,580 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
18 $14,487 $27,822 $7,437 63.2% 92.4%
19 $14,838 $28,327 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
20 $31,058 $50,856 $13,320 50.0%
21 $16,174 $26,063 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
22 $25,321 $38,878 $13,160 8.8%
23 $20,979 $25,967 $35,214 51.5% 48.5%
24 $31,198 $32,925 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
25 $39,495 $36,848 $58,222 71.1% 71.2%
26 $19,761 $17,950 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
27 $27,384 $22,892 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
28 $26,433 $21,964 $50,670 74.0% 87.2%
29 $32,926 $24,808 $51,790 70.1% 82.0%
30 $28,046 $19,227 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
31 $26,217 $16,478 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
32 $47,527 $29,141 $62,784 80.4% 72.5%
33 $45,409 $26,739 $66,742 84.7% 48.7%
34 $29,871 $16,015 $49,864 63.4% 75.5%
35 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
36 $32,121 $36,930 63.7% 78.2%
37 $33,072 $28,800 43.5% 65.6%
38 $27,923 $38,522 41.7%
39 $25,300 $37,150 60.7% 65.9%
40 $50,168 $43,550 73.8% 81.9%
41 $25,926 $55,340 67.8% 93.2%
42 $27,653 $36,250 45.7% 32.2%
43 $39,329 $63,446 85.1% 39.4%
44 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
45 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
46 $7,871 $26,300 23.5%
47 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
48 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes California State University-Dominguez Hills such strong value for fitness majors?

CSU-Dominguez Hills offers the lowest net cost at $3,659 with graduates earning $25,194 annually. Students carry modest debt loads of $15,483 upon graduation. The Carson location provides access to Los Angeles area fitness facilities and internship opportunities while maintaining affordable living costs compared to other LA-area schools.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs in California?

San Jose State charges the highest net cost at $13,741 but produces graduates earning $33,281, representing strong return on investment. CSU-Bakersfield graduates earn the lowest at $20,748 despite reasonable costs. The $13,000 earning difference often reflects regional job market variations, with Bay Area positions commanding higher salaries due to cost of living adjustments.

Is the Cal Grant program effective for reducing fitness program costs in California?

Cal Grant eligibility can cover most tuition costs at public institutions, with in-state rates ranging from $6,813 to $7,992. Net costs vary more widely from $3,659 to $13,741 based on additional aid and living expenses. Students at CSU campuses particularly benefit, with most maintaining net costs under $12,000 annually even in expensive metropolitan areas.

Does graduation rate correlate with program value in California fitness education?

CSU-Long Beach achieves the highest graduation rate at 69.9% with a moderate net cost of $8,931 and solid earnings of $26,498. CSU-Fullerton also graduates 69.2% of students at just $5,646 net cost. However, CSU-East Bay shows that high costs don't guarantee completion, with only 45.5% graduation despite $11,276 annual expenses and strong $33,459 graduate earnings.

Where do California fitness graduates find the best employment opportunities?

Silicon Valley and Bay Area graduates from San Jose State and SF State earn $33,281 and $34,450 respectively, reflecting corporate wellness program demand. Sacramento graduates average $32,162, benefiting from state government health initiatives. Southern California markets around Fullerton and Long Beach offer steady employment at $25,464-$26,498, supported by the region's fitness-conscious culture and year-round outdoor activity opportunities.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.