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Cheapest Health and Physical Education/Fitness Colleges in Illinois

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

Millikin University stands out among Illinois Health and Physical Education programs with a net price of just $8,837, making it the most affordable option despite being a private institution. This creates an unusual situation where a private college costs less than most public alternatives in the state. The full price range spans from this low of $8,837 to $18,996, showing significant variation in affordability across Illinois schools. Graduates from these programs earn between $26,353 and $37,593 annually, positioning them well for Illinois's growing healthcare sector, which employs over 600,000 workers statewide. Chicago's major hospital systems and the state's emphasis on public health create steady demand for fitness professionals and health educators. The University of Illinois system appears three times in the top rankings, with Springfield offering strong value at $8,916 net cost. Illinois's MAP Grant program helps reduce costs further for qualifying students, making these already affordable programs even more accessible to in-state residents pursuing careers in physical education and fitness instruction.
34
Programs
$8,837 – $29,550
Net Price Range
$29,642
Avg. Program Earnings
57.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

34 Health and Physical Education/Fitness Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
2 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
3 $11,592 $14,952 44.8% 75.0%
4 $12,093 $36,840 59.0% 84.1%
5 $12,313 $14,338 60.3% 78.7%
6 $12,909 $12,700 49.6% 70.7%
7 $13,696 $12,922 55.0% 97.5%
8 $14,093 $13,403 45.2% 68.0%
9 $15,201 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
10 $16,177 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
11 $16,381 $20,325 63.9% 70.7%
12 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
13 $17,324 $35,740 42.7% 61.7%
14 $17,610 $15,400 58.2%
15 $17,945 $37,470 61.1% 77.2%
16 $18,034 $43,520 60.1% 90.7%
17 $18,191 $35,325 56.0% 68.0%
18 $18,370 $37,882 62.6% 74.1%
19 $18,992 $28,220 58.3% 81.9%
20 $18,996 $16,021 66.3% 86.2%
21 $21,063 $41,628 65.2% 76.0%
22 $21,270 $30,598 51.4% 94.1%
23 $21,386 $12,320 45.7% 91.3%
24 $21,539 $37,940 60.3% 57.8%
25 $21,814 $26,758 52.4% 64.4%
26 $22,048 $28,400 40.6% 86.7%
27 $23,033 $44,394 71.1% 60.9%
28 $23,066 $37,300 38.3% 54.9%
29 $23,529 $34,290 51.0% 93.1%
30 $24,190 $34,070 59.5% 68.4%
31 $25,027 $30,910 53.3% 58.2%
32 $26,788 $32,520 48.5% 94.8%
33 $29,141 $44,460 70.0% 70.2%
34 $29,550 $55,704 82.5% 42.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Millikin University so affordable compared to other private colleges?

Millikin University offers a net price of $8,837 for Health and Physical Education students, which is lower than many public universities in Illinois. The school provides substantial financial aid that brings the actual cost well below its sticker price of $26,892. This makes it more affordable than public options like Northern Illinois University at $12,909 net cost. The combination of merit aid and need-based assistance creates this unusual pricing advantage.

How do graduation rates vary between the most affordable programs?

The top five most affordable schools show graduation rates ranging from 44.8% to 84.9%, indicating significant variation in student success. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads with an 84.9% graduation rate despite having a higher net cost of $15,201. In contrast, Western Illinois University has a 44.8% graduation rate with a net cost of $11,592. University of Illinois Springfield maintains a solid 61.4% graduation rate while keeping costs low at $8,916.

Is earning potential consistent across different price points?

Earnings show interesting patterns that don't always correlate with program cost. Quincy University graduates earn $33,993 despite having a higher net cost of $17,324. Northern Illinois University graduates earn $32,467 with a moderate net cost of $12,909. Meanwhile, Millikin University graduates earn $27,681, which is lower than some peers but still reasonable given the minimal investment required.

Does acceptance rate affect program quality or outcomes?

Acceptance rates range from 44.82% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to 97.51% at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. The most selective program also has the highest graduation rate at 84.9%, suggesting some correlation between selectivity and completion. However, schools with higher acceptance rates like UIS at 82.03% still maintain respectable graduation rates around 61.4%. Student debt levels remain relatively consistent across different selectivity levels.

Where do most Illinois Health and Physical Education graduates find employment?

Illinois's healthcare sector employs over 600,000 workers, creating opportunities for health education specialists throughout the state. Chicago's major hospital systems and corporate wellness programs hire fitness professionals regularly. School districts across Illinois need physical education teachers, with Chicago Public Schools being one of the largest employers. The state's focus on public health initiatives also creates positions in community health education and fitness program coordination.

More Health and Physical Education/Fitness Rankings

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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.