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Best Value Health and Physical Education/Fitness Colleges in Pennsylvania

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

East Stroudsburg University delivers strong value for Health and Physical Education/Fitness students with a net cost of just $15,089 and graduates earning $33,352 annually. This combination creates one of the strongest return-on-investment ratios among Pennsylvania programs. The state's healthcare sector, led by employers like UPMC, creates steady demand for fitness professionals and health educators across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and corporate wellness programs. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with five schools offering net costs below $20,000. Private institutions like Lancaster Bible College achieve impressive 71.4% graduation rates but carry higher price tags around $22,870. The earnings range from $22,912 to $37,928 reflects the varied career paths available, from K-12 physical education teaching to corporate fitness management. Pennsylvania's mix of urban healthcare systems and rural wellness initiatives provides graduates with employment opportunities that justify these educational investments.
50
Programs
$12,251 – $38,428
Net Price Range
$29,464
Avg. Program Earnings
62.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Health and Physical Education/Fitness Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $15,089 $33,352 $11,036 43.8% 93.6%
2 $17,216 $29,557 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
3 $19,524 $30,988 $10,507 65.9% 74.3%
4 $16,630 $26,353 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
5 $19,685 $29,250 $24,606 59.7% 95.6%
6 $22,673 $33,382 $10,687 69.8% 87.9%
7 $22,870 $32,925 $29,990 71.4% 97.2%
8 $24,051 $32,569 $35,815 50.5% 78.5%
9 $23,206 $29,995 $37,951 69.5% 80.9%
10 $23,553 $28,236 $13,544 51.6% 87.8%
11 $25,747 $30,771 $34,940 65.6% 93.8%
12 $29,219 $32,725 $22,082 74.7% 79.7%
13 $22,558 $24,421 $41,414 71.0% 78.3%
14 $30,465 $32,925 $44,800 71.0% 77.2%
15 $21,461 $22,912 $17,850 41.2% 80.7%
16 $28,714 $30,554 $37,300 46.1% 85.5%
17 $24,829 $26,353 $38,370 69.2% 88.7%
18 $29,464 $30,409 $28,550 64.5% 69.7%
19 $38,428 $37,928 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
20 $28,329 $25,194 $42,810 58.5% 59.0%
21 $30,074 $26,353 $21,524 84.3% 49.1%
22 $30,528 $21,052 $52,309 80.8% 84.4%
23 $13,766 $23,900 43.4% 84.3%
24 $21,241 $27,000 51.8% 94.1%
25 $20,356 $22,171 43.5% 75.6%
26 $19,173 $41,720 72.8% 73.1%
27 $35,487 $51,340 79.8% 88.7%
28 $26,084 $17,940 50.4%
29 $20,800 $39,470 65.9% 75.3%
30 $27,499 $24,510 56.1% 82.4%
31 $30,485 $59,196 76.6% 82.2%
32 $22,746 $36,864 43.5% 82.3%
33 $27,663 $56,402 68.9% 76.2%
34 $21,873 $32,400 54.2% 65.2%
35 $25,866 $48,290 64.0% 77.6%
36 $22,909 $44,934 58.2% 84.3%
37 $25,717 $43,810 66.2% 66.3%
38 $25,885 $37,420 56.0% 63.2%
39 $26,198 $36,842 77.1% 81.1%
40 $21,043 $33,610 61.5% 79.1%
41 $30,086 $64,230 82.7% 56.3%
42 $12,251 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
43 $29,577 $32,625 65.2% 81.0%
44 $23,281 $42,600 60.1% 96.0%
45 $21,972 $33,120 57.7% 97.4%
46 $28,132 $50,320 72.5% 76.7%
47 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
48 $16,521 $19,964 24.4% 93.2%
49 $22,222 $39,570 72.5% 80.8%
50 $27,686 $40,640 78.5% 79.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes East Stroudsburg University the top value choice for fitness education?

East Stroudsburg combines the lowest net cost at $15,089 with strong graduate earnings of $33,352, creating an excellent return on investment. The 93.63% acceptance rate makes admission accessible, while the 43.8% graduation rate reflects the program's academic rigor. Students benefit from both affordability and solid career preparation in Pennsylvania's health sector.

How do public versus private school costs compare for this major?

Public universities average around $19,000 in net costs, while private institutions range from $21,461 to $30,465. West Chester University offers the best public option with a $22,673 net cost and 69.8% graduation rate. Private schools like Lancaster Bible College justify higher costs with 71.4% graduation rates and specialized religious wellness programs.

Is the $15,000 cost difference between cheapest and most expensive programs justified?

The gap between East Stroudsburg's $15,089 and DeSales University's $30,465 reflects different value propositions. DeSales achieves a 71% graduation rate compared to East Stroudsburg's 43.8%, suggesting better student support systems. However, both programs produce similar graduate earnings around $33,000, making the public option more cost-effective.

Does Pennsylvania's job market support the graduate earning potential shown?

Pennsylvania's healthcare industry, anchored by UPMC and major pharmaceutical companies, creates steady demand for fitness professionals. The $22,912 to $37,928 earnings range reflects opportunities from entry-level positions to specialized roles in corporate wellness and rehabilitation. The state's aging population and focus on preventive care support continued job growth in this field.

Where do graduates with debt loads around $25,000 stand financially?

Most programs show graduate debt between $24,000 and $27,000, which aligns well with typical starting salaries around $30,000. Schools like Temple University combine manageable $25,501 debt loads with higher graduation rates of 74.7%. This debt-to-income ratio allows graduates to pursue careers in education or healthcare without overwhelming financial burden.

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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.