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Cheapest Health and Physical Education/Fitness Colleges in Ohio

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

Ohio's five regional university campuses offer Health and Physical Education programs starting at just $4,503 annually, creating an unusual cost advantage for students targeting the state's growing healthcare and fitness sectors. Ohio University's satellite locations in Saint Clairsville, Ironton, Zanesville, Lancaster, and Chillicothe all charge identical $6,178 in-state tuition but deliver vastly different net costs based on financial aid distribution. The state's major healthcare employers like Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center drive demand for fitness professionals who understand medical wellness protocols. Private institutions like Mount St. Joseph University charge $36,650 in tuition yet maintain competitive $16,135 net costs through substantial aid packages, while graduates from programs like Bluffton University average $36,077 in starting earnings. Ohio State University stands apart with an 87.7% graduation rate for the major, nearly double the rate at most regional campuses, though students pay $18,292 net annually for this performance advantage.
50
Programs
$4,503 – $31,236
Net Price Range
$30,566
Avg. Program Earnings
52.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Health and Physical Education/Fitness Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
2 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
3 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
4 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
5 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
6 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
7 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
8 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
9 $15,389 $9,622 43.0%
10 $16,065 $12,613 48.9% 85.3%
11 $16,135 $36,650 54.7% 54.4%
12 $16,544 $7,824 25.6% 88.8%
13 $17,430 $36,298 49.5% 96.3%
14 $17,460 $12,377 55.6% 92.2%
15 $18,292 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
16 $18,372 $38,974 58.1% 82.9%
17 $19,470 $44,602 53.8% 93.9%
18 $19,476 $34,370 47.9% 52.4%
19 $19,614 $12,846 65.5% 88.0%
20 $20,004 $34,595 61.7% 72.5%
21 $20,088 $26,265 59.1% 93.1%
22 $20,204 $31,440 52.7% 86.4%
23 $20,413 $13,746 66.4% 86.5%
24 $20,477 $32,606 36.6% 78.5%
25 $20,609 $12,930 54.2%
26 $20,918 $14,081 62.8% 78.7%
27 $21,296 $36,032 41.9% 54.1%
28 $21,596 $28,930 38.1% 60.4%
29 $21,607 $23,700 35.7%
30 $21,619 $52,357 61.7% 52.2%
31 $21,662 $33,628 49.8% 71.4%
32 $21,812 $35,524 63.6% 85.3%
33 $21,994 $28,910 60.6% 71.8%
34 $22,140 $34,899 68.9% 83.7%
35 $22,539 $35,400 64.9% 75.8%
36 $22,605 $9,577 30.3%
37 $22,872 $30,962 55.1% 88.1%
38 $22,881 $36,120 51.3% 77.6%
39 $23,156 $13,570 71.5% 86.2%
40 $23,585 $41,788 65.5% 72.2%
41 $23,722 $38,778 36.7% 62.9%
42 $23,731 $39,646 62.6% 86.0%
43 $23,758 $32,400 43.0% 82.8%
44 $25,022 $36,078 74.3% 64.9%
45 $25,727 $37,800 74.2% 54.4%
46 $27,654 $37,938 68.6% 77.0%
47 $27,662 $17,809 81.8% 87.9%
48 $28,617 $49,100 76.5% 82.4%
49 $29,541 $20,560 32.2%
50 $31,236 $47,600 81.5% 74.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $11,501 cost difference between Ohio University's cheapest and most expensive campuses?

All five Ohio University regional campuses charge identical $6,178 in-state tuition, but financial aid varies dramatically by location. The Eastern Campus in Saint Clairsville delivers $4,503 net costs while Lancaster reaches $6,133 net costs. This $1,630 spread reflects different student demographics and federal aid eligibility across southeastern Ohio communities.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Ohio?

Ohio State University commands the highest net cost at $18,292 but delivers an 87.7% graduation rate, while the cheapest regional campuses show graduation rates between 12.1% and 20%. University of Toledo offers middle-ground value with 55.6% graduation rates at $17,460 net cost. Mount St. Joseph University achieves 54.7% graduation rates despite higher private tuition through targeted support services.

Is earning potential worth the extra cost at private Ohio institutions?

Bluffton University graduates average $36,077 starting salaries, the highest among reporting schools, while charging $17,430 net costs. Mount St. Joseph University graduates earn $33,993 on average for $16,135 net investment. Public university graduates from Wright State earn $35,060 but pay slightly less at $15,216 net costs, suggesting private institutions deliver comparable return on investment.

Does location within Ohio affect program costs and outcomes?

Southern and southeastern Ohio campuses consistently offer the lowest net costs, with Ohio University regional locations ranging from $4,503 to $6,483. Northern Ohio institutions like Youngstown State ($11,877) and University of Akron ($14,981) charge significantly more but maintain higher graduation rates above 48%. Cleveland State University serves the state's largest healthcare market at $16,065 net cost.

What role does acceptance rate play in Ohio program accessibility?

Most Ohio Health and Physical Education programs maintain open enrollment policies, with acceptance rates between 80% and 96%. Ohio State University accepts only 52.7% of applicants while charging premium costs, creating a selective pathway for high-achieving students. Mount St. Joseph University accepts 54.4% of applicants, offering the most selective private option with strong graduate earning potential at $33,993.

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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.