by our College Data Analytics Team
[Exercise Physiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/exercise-physiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 165 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise physiology students.
What’s on this page:
The exercise physiology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise physiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Rice University, our #1 best value for exercise physiology in the United States. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $11,904. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $16,888. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $34,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise physiology, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $19,001 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $23,574. That is a strong return on a $19,001 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise physiology will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Central Texas earned it the #5 place for exercise physiology. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $23,160. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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Purdue University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $19,844. Exercise Physiology graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,844 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine earned the #7 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $16,539. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #8 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $52,565. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $21,250. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $24,463. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake came in at #10 for value in exercise physiology this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $21,100. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #11 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $13,593. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $25,831. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois earned the #12 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,764 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Set against $26,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Murray State University came in at #13 for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Wichita State University placed #14 among the best values for exercise physiology. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $32,196. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #15 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $13,000. Exercise Physiology graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $25,101 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #16 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,598 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $37,550. Set against $14,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University landed the #17 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $23,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $25,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Washington State University came in at #18 for value in exercise physiology this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,444. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #20 for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $24,673. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #21 among the best values for exercise physiology. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $23,844. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $43,246. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Midwestern State University placed #22 among the best values for exercise physiology. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $22,244. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $27,539. That is a strong return on a $22,244 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $47,130 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #24 for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,347 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #25 among the best values for exercise physiology. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise physiology:
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Exercise Physiology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 165 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.