Best Value Health and Physical Education/Fitness Colleges in Iowa

Simpson College graduates in Health and Physical Education earn $42,012 annually, the highest among Iowa's fitness programs, despite carrying a net cost of $22,231. This earning potential reflects Iowa's growing wellness sector, driven by major employers like Principal Financial Group who prioritize employee health programs and fitness initiatives. The state's 15 programs show dramatic cost variations, with University of Northern Iowa offering the lowest net price at $14,609 while maintaining solid graduate earnings of $33,459. Public universities dominate the value equation, with UNI's 95% acceptance rate making quality fitness education accessible to nearly all applicants. Iowa's agriculture-heavy economy increasingly values physical wellness professionals as companies invest in workplace health programs. The earning range spans from $25,194 to $42,012, with private colleges like Simpson and Luther commanding premium prices but delivering correspondingly higher graduate salaries that justify the investment for career-focused students.

Programs

$14,609 – $30,042

Net Price Range

$33,696

Avg. Program Earnings

58.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Health and Physical Education/Fitness Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa	$14,609	$33,459	$9,728	68.9%	95.0%
2	Buena Vista University Storm Lake, Iowa	$18,321	$39,009	$40,190	47.3%	77.3%
3	Simpson College Indianola, Iowa	$22,231	$42,012	$46,212	65.7%	89.1%
4	Coe College Cedar Rapids, Iowa	$19,155	$36,042	$52,576	59.0%
5	Iowa State University Ames, Iowa	$18,165	$34,126	$10,497	75.5%	90.2%
6	Graceland University-Lamoni Lamoni, Iowa	$15,975	$29,685	$33,220	38.3%	74.5%
7	Grand View University Des Moines, Iowa	$21,616	$34,187	$33,450	55.8%	98.4%
8	Loras College Dubuque, Iowa	$21,057	$32,925	$38,298	69.9%	89.8%
9	Luther College Decorah, Iowa	$25,635	$39,927	$50,320	75.0%	75.3%
10	Briar Cliff University Sioux City, Iowa	$21,590	$33,281	$35,534	49.4%
11	University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa	$21,398	$31,928	$10,964	73.1%	86.0%
12	Central College Pella, Iowa	$22,353	$32,925	$20,988	69.2%	79.2%
13	Dordt University Sioux Center, Iowa	$25,383	$36,848	$35,960	65.3%	87.7%
14	University of Dubuque Dubuque, Iowa	$23,250	$30,119	$40,065	41.1%	85.1%
15	Saint Ambrose University Davenport, Iowa	$22,750	$27,474	$35,598	62.8%	73.9%
16	Wartburg College Waverly, Iowa	$22,604	$25,194	$51,040	66.8%	97.5%
17	Drake University Des Moines, Iowa	$30,042		$49,944	77.3%	67.2%
18	Clarke University Dubuque, Iowa	$20,068		$39,600	54.9%	84.8%
19	Northwestern College Orange City, Iowa	$23,519		$35,300	63.6%	87.3%
20	Cornell College Mount Vernon, Iowa	$25,079		$50,634	71.7%	79.3%
21	Upper Iowa University Fayette, Iowa	$23,172		$19,000	41.5%	54.2%
22	Waldorf University Forest City, Iowa	$21,683		$25,220	29.0%	73.9%
23	William Penn University Oskaloosa, Iowa	$22,115		$28,750	29.2%	57.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Northern Iowa the top value choice for fitness education?

UNI combines the lowest net cost at $14,609 with solid graduate earnings of $33,459, creating an excellent return on investment. The university maintains a 69% graduation rate with 95% acceptance, making quality fitness education accessible. Students graduate with moderate debt levels of $18,750, well below the state average.

How do private college graduates justify higher tuition costs in this field?

Simpson College graduates earn $42,012 annually, nearly $9,000 more than UNI graduates despite paying $22,231 in net costs. Luther College produces similarly high earners at $39,927 with strong 75% graduation rates. These premium programs often provide specialized training and networking opportunities that translate to higher-paying positions.

Is there a significant difference between public and private program outcomes?

Public universities offer substantially lower costs, with Iowa State at $18,165 and UNI at $14,609 net price compared to private averages above $20,000. However, top private programs like Simpson and Buena Vista produce graduates earning $39,000-$42,000 annually. Graduation rates vary widely, from 38% at Graceland to 75% at Luther and Iowa State.

Does location within Iowa affect career prospects for fitness graduates?

Des Moines area schools like Grand View and Simpson benefit from proximity to Principal Financial and other corporations investing in employee wellness programs. Cedar Falls and Ames locations provide access to university recreation facilities and research opportunities. Rural programs like those at Graceland and Dordt may offer smaller class sizes but fewer immediate job prospects.

What debt levels should students expect from Iowa fitness programs?

Most graduates carry $23,000-$27,000 in debt, with UNI offering the lowest burden at $18,750. Private colleges typically result in $27,000 debt loads regardless of net cost differences. Iowa State graduates manage moderate $23,204 debt levels while maintaining strong earning potential of $34,126 annually.

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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.