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Berea College stands apart in Kentucky's Health and Physical Education/Fitness market with a net cost of just $4,483, despite having a sticker price of $49,326. This private college's work-study model creates an extraordinary value proposition that public universities struggle to match. The next most affordable option, Northern Kentucky University at $7,168, demonstrates the typical cost advantage public schools offer. Kentucky's growing healthcare sector, anchored by companies like Humana, creates steady demand for fitness and wellness professionals. Graduates from these programs earn between $20,140 and $39,729, with Northern Kentucky University graduates commanding the highest salaries. The state's 18 programs show remarkable variety in both cost and outcomes, from Alice Lloyd College's concerning 26.4% graduation rate to Transylvania University's strong 69.8% completion rate.
18
Programs
$4,483 – $36,431
Net Price Range
$28,075
Avg. Program Earnings
51.5%
Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Health and Physical Education/Fitness Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,483 $49,326 62.0% 24.6%
2 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
3 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
4 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
5 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
6 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
7 $11,286 $9,875 46.2% 83.0%
8 $13,485 $42,010 47.5% 71.5%
9 $17,634 $12,828 60.7% 81.5%
10 $17,839 $14,080 26.4% 98.3%
11 $18,246 $26,990 47.1%
12 $20,428 $33,640 65.0% 78.7%
13 $20,701 $38,400 40.1% 94.2%
14 $23,560 $44,980 69.8% 90.8%
15 $23,587 $47,180 67.7% 87.8%
16 $23,863 $26,080 46.4% 93.8%
17 $23,906 $30,946 36.0% 53.4%
18 $36,431 $33,393 52.6% 68.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Berea College's program so affordable despite its high tuition?

Berea College operates on a unique work-study model where students work on campus to offset costs. While the published tuition reaches $49,326, the actual net cost drops to just $4,483 through this program. The college maintains a selective 24.58% acceptance rate and achieves a solid 62% graduation rate. This model makes private education accessible to students who might otherwise only consider public options.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs?

Northern Kentucky University graduates earn $39,729 annually with a net cost of $7,168, creating excellent return on investment. University of the Cumberlands and Asbury University graduates both earn just $20,140 despite vastly different net costs of $11,286 and $20,428 respectively. The earnings gap of nearly $20,000 between top and bottom performers shows that school choice significantly impacts career prospects. Students should carefully weigh program reputation and career services when comparing costs.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Kentucky?

The data reveals no clear correlation between cost and graduation success. Transylvania University leads with a 69.8% graduation rate at $23,560 net cost, while Alice Lloyd College struggles with just 26.4% completion despite a moderate $17,839 net cost. Berea College achieves 62% graduation at the lowest net cost of $4,483. The wide variation suggests that institutional support and student preparation matter more than tuition levels for program completion.

Where do Kentucky's public universities rank for affordability?

Northern Kentucky University leads public options at $7,168 net cost, followed closely by Murray State at $9,121 and Eastern Kentucky at $9,962. All Kentucky public universities cluster between $7,168 and $17,634 for net costs, making them consistently affordable choices. Western Kentucky University offers the highest acceptance rate at 96.95% among publics, while University of Louisville provides the highest graduation rate at 60.7%. These schools serve different student populations while maintaining reasonable costs.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.