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Cheapest Health and Physical Education/Fitness Colleges in California

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

California State University-Dominguez Hills makes health and fitness education remarkably accessible at just $3,659 net cost, while other Cal State campuses like CSU-East Bay reach $11,276 despite serving similar populations. This $7,617 price gap exists within the same public university system, creating stark affordability differences for identical degree programs. The state's fitness industry spans from Silicon Valley wellness startups to massive gym chains like 24 Hour Fitness, which originated in California and now operates over 400 locations nationwide. Health and Physical Education graduates earn between $20,748 and $34,450 annually, with San Francisco State leading at $34,450 despite its $12,882 net cost. California's Cal Grant program covers full tuition for qualifying students at public universities, making the net price primarily room, board, and fees. The 20 most affordable programs show acceptance rates from 23.50% at San Diego Christian College to 96.61% at CSU-Stanislaus, reflecting the broad accessibility of fitness education across the state's varied geographic regions.
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
2 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
3 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
6 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
7 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
8 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
9 $7,871 $26,300 23.5%
10 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
11 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
12 $10,550 $7,739 54.2% 95.2%
13 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%
14 $11,580 $7,439 66.7% 55.4%
15 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
16 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
17 $13,741 $7,992 64.7% 76.7%
18 $13,801 $8,190 60.5% 94.0%
19 $14,317 $35,558 55.9% 75.0%
20 $14,487 $7,437 63.2% 92.4%
21 $14,838 $8,064 63.6% 95.0%
22 $15,624 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
23 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
24 $19,761 $39,950 55.9% 74.8%
25 $19,798 $43,600 64.4% 87.0%
26 $20,979 $35,214 51.5% 48.5%
27 $25,300 $37,150 60.7% 65.9%
28 $25,321 $13,160 8.8%
29 $25,926 $55,340 67.8% 93.2%
30 $26,217 $35,910 68.1% 91.9%
31 $26,433 $50,670 74.0% 87.2%
32 $27,384 $39,720 59.5% 79.9%
33 $27,653 $36,250 45.7% 32.2%
34 $27,923 $38,522 41.7%
35 $28,046 $41,390 62.5% 69.0%
36 $28,101 $46,704 68.8% 56.6%
37 $29,871 $49,864 63.4% 75.5%
38 $31,058 $13,320 50.0%
39 $31,198 $56,134 69.0% 87.9%
40 $31,927 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
41 $32,121 $36,930 63.7% 78.2%
42 $32,926 $51,790 70.1% 82.0%
43 $33,072 $28,800 43.5% 65.6%
44 $39,329 $63,446 85.1% 39.4%
45 $39,495 $58,222 71.1% 71.2%
46 $45,409 $66,742 84.7% 48.7%
47 $47,527 $62,784 80.4% 72.5%
48 $50,168 $43,550 73.8% 81.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $7,617 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive Cal State programs?

CSU-Dominguez Hills costs just $3,659 net while CSU-East Bay reaches $11,276, primarily due to varying local housing costs and living expenses. Both charge similar tuition rates as public universities, but Bay Area housing near CSU-East Bay significantly inflates the total cost of attendance. CSU-East Bay graduates earn $33,459 compared to $25,194 at Dominguez Hills, potentially justifying the higher investment. The $8,265 earnings difference over a career can offset the initial cost disparity.

How do California fitness program earnings compare to the national average?

California health and fitness graduates earn $20,748 to $34,450 annually, with the top earners at San Francisco State making $34,450. This range reflects California's higher cost of living but also greater opportunities in corporate wellness, tech company fitness programs, and the state's $4.2 billion fitness industry. Entry-level positions often start near the lower end, while experienced fitness directors and corporate wellness managers reach the upper earnings range. The state's focus on health technology and wellness innovation creates unique career paths beyond traditional gym instruction.

Is San Diego Christian College worth considering despite its 23.50% graduation rate?

San Diego Christian College's 23.50% graduation rate is significantly lower than public alternatives like CSU-Long Beach at 69.90% or CSU-Fullerton at 69.20%. The private college costs $7,871 net compared to $8,931 at CSU-Long Beach, making it only slightly cheaper. Students should carefully evaluate whether the potential religious focus aligns with their career goals, given the substantially lower completion rates. Public universities offer better graduation outcomes with similar or slightly higher costs.

Does the Cal Grant program significantly impact these net prices?

Cal Grant covers full tuition at public universities for eligible students, explaining why in-state tuition ranges only from $6,813 to $7,826 across Cal State campuses. The net prices of $3,659 to $12,882 primarily reflect housing, meal plans, and living expenses rather than tuition costs. Students from families earning under $80,000 typically qualify for Cal Grant A, while those with GPAs above 2.0 may receive Cal Grant B. This makes California public universities among the most affordable nationally for qualifying residents.

Where do California fitness graduates typically find employment?

California's varied economy creates fitness opportunities from Silicon Valley corporate wellness centers to Los Angeles entertainment industry training facilities. Major employers include 24 Hour Fitness (headquartered in California), LA Fitness, and countless tech companies offering employee fitness programs. The state's 39.5 million residents support over 4,000 fitness facilities, while school districts employ thousands of physical education teachers. Graduates also find work in healthcare systems, military bases, and California's booming sports medicine industry centered around professional teams.

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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.