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Best Value Health and Physical Education/Fitness Colleges in Texas

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

Texas A&M International University delivers strong value in Health and Physical Education with a net cost of just $3,061, though graduates earn $22,420 annually. This creates an interesting contrast with Rice University, where students pay $12,640 but achieve a 95.70% graduation rate compared to TAMIU's 48.90%. The state's massive healthcare infrastructure, anchored by Houston's Texas Medical Center as the world's largest medical complex, creates strong demand for fitness professionals and health educators. Net costs across Texas programs range from $3,061 to $16,025, while earnings span $22,420 to $43,798. UT Permian Basin graduates earn the highest salaries at $43,798, reflecting the strong job market in Texas where healthcare employs over 1.3 million workers. Public institutions dominate the market, with 14 of 15 schools offering in-state tuition advantages. The TEXAS Grant program helps qualifying students reduce costs further at public universities.
50
Programs
$3,061 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$31,192
Avg. Program Earnings
50.8%
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 $3,061 $22,420 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
2 $5,458 $31,495 $3,148 26.8%
3 $9,144 $43,798 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
4 $6,500 $27,648 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
5 $10,204 $39,009 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
6 $11,056 $38,289 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
7 $11,882 $39,909 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
8 $11,234 $33,258 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
9 $10,948 $30,952 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
10 $11,429 $32,284 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
11 $11,268 $31,547 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
12 $12,640 $35,060 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
13 $12,915 $32,213 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
14 $10,726 $25,194 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
15 $15,152 $34,823 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
16 $14,352 $32,967 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
17 $10,409 $23,456 $11,720 15.1%
18 $15,235 $34,277 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
19 $16,025 $35,594 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
20 $13,853 $30,485 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
21 $15,137 $33,007 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
22 $13,931 $29,322 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
23 $16,438 $34,140 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
24 $14,041 $25,774 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
25 $20,261 $37,125 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
26 $19,734 $35,954 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
27 $19,678 $35,194 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
28 $20,924 $36,355 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
29 $20,841 $35,914 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
30 $20,071 $34,501 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
31 $19,710 $32,029 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
32 $17,760 $27,947 $31,728 42.4%
33 $21,031 $29,685 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
34 $19,988 $26,353 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
35 $20,410 $24,863 $37,396 43.7% 85.2%
36 $21,352 $25,967 $36,242 58.8% 86.2%
37 $22,587 $26,997 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
38 $41,778 $49,625 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
39 $20,498 $22,999 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
40 $23,636 $26,353 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
41 $22,240 $22,806 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
42 $25,910 $24,615 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
43 $25,255 $23,649 $33,322 31.1% 62.3%
44 $30,092 $21,052 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
45 $41,942 $26,739 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
46 $12,714 $14,520 99.2%
47 $19,398 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
48 $27,401 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
49 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
50 $25,491 $17,457 71.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide earnings gap between Health and Physical Education graduates in Texas?

Graduates from UT Permian Basin earn $43,798 annually while Texas A&M International graduates average $22,420, creating a $21,378 difference. Regional job markets play a significant role, with Odessa's energy sector supporting higher wages compared to border communities. Specialization within the field also matters, as some programs focus more on clinical health roles while others emphasize K-12 physical education teaching. The 95% earnings range reflects Texas's varied economy from rural school districts to major metropolitan healthcare systems.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Texas Health and Physical Education programs?

Rice University achieves a 95.70% graduation rate despite charging a $12,640 net price, while more affordable options show mixed results. UT San Antonio graduates 51.20% of students at an $11,234 net cost, demonstrating solid outcomes at moderate prices. Texas Southmost College offers the lowest in-state tuition at $3,148 but graduates only 26.80% of students. The data suggests that extremely low-cost programs may struggle with completion rates, though several mid-priced public options maintain respectable graduation rates above 45%.

Is student debt a major concern for Health and Physical Education majors in Texas?

Student debt varies dramatically, from Rice University's manageable $10,000 average to Texas A&M Kingsville's $26,496 burden. UT Rio Grande Valley keeps debt reasonable at $14,297 while maintaining a strong 49.30% graduation rate. Public institutions generally offer better debt outcomes than private schools, with several programs keeping average debt below $20,000. Given that entry-level earnings range from $22,420 to $43,798, debt management becomes important for program selection and career planning.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality in Texas Health and Physical Education programs?

Rice University's 8.68% acceptance rate reflects its elite status, but UT El Paso accepts 99.92% of applicants while still maintaining reasonable outcomes. Many solid programs like Texas A&M Kingsville accept 96.55% of students, suggesting that selectivity doesn't always correlate with value. University of Houston-Clear Lake balances accessibility with quality, accepting 69.37% of applicants while achieving a 50.90% graduation rate. The data shows that less selective programs can still provide excellent value for students committed to completing their degrees.

Where do Health and Physical Education graduates find the best job opportunities in Texas?

Houston's Texas Medical Center creates the strongest job market, employing over 106,000 healthcare workers across 60 institutions. Major systems like HCA Healthcare, Baylor Scott & White, and MD Anderson provide opportunities for health educators and fitness specialists. School districts across Texas's 1,200+ independent districts need physical education teachers, creating steady demand statewide. The energy corridor around Houston and Dallas also supports corporate wellness programs, while border communities near Mexico offer unique public health opportunities despite lower average salaries.

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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.