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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

14 Colleges in the United States
$25,728 Avg Student Debt
$57,713 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Badge [Exercise Physiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/exercise-physiology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise physiology education at a price that pays off.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise physiology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise physiology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools

1
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among exercise physiology schools in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $19,844. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

2

Augustana College Illinois came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. 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. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $26,764. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $39,096. That is a strong return on a $26,764 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.

3

University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise physiology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $25,347 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. That is a strong return on a $25,347 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wright State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for exercise physiology. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $25,836. Exercise Physiology graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ball State University earned it the #5 place for exercise physiology. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $24,518. Exercise Physiology graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Toledo placed #7 among the best values for exercise physiology. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $24,923. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $52,675. That is a strong return on a $24,923 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

8

Eastern Michigan University earned the #8 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. That is a strong return on a $28,781 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.

9
Illinois College crest
Illinois College
Jacksonville, IL

Illinois College landed the #9 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Located in the town of Jacksonville, Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,676. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $26,922 in student loans. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $41,184. That is a strong return on a $26,922 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

10

Ohio University Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for exercise physiology. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,786 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $36,886. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

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11
Hiram College crest
Hiram College
Hiram, OH

Hiram College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Set in the rural area of Hiram, Hiram College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,397. Students borrow a median of $27,144 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of Hiram College earn a median of $48,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,144 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University landed the #12 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,450. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $26,724. Exercise Physiology graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $51,987 early in their careers. Set against $26,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

13
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University came in at #13 for value in exercise physiology this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $27,000. Exercise Physiology graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $31,192 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.

14

Benedictine University landed the #14 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $25,338. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $54,212. That is a strong return on a $25,338 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

15

Indiana Wesleyan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,352. Students borrow a median of $24,613 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $52,449. Set against $24,613 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

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16
Taylor University crest
Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University earned the #16 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,490. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $22,786 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $30,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

17
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University earned the #17 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. That is a strong return on a $26,904 median debt. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.

18
Alma College crest
Alma College
Alma, MI

Alma College placed #18 among the best values for exercise physiology. Located in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,248 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $42,740. That is a strong return on a $27,248 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

19

Concordia University Wisconsin placed #19 among the best values for exercise physiology. Concordia University Wisconsin is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mequon. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $58,227. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

20

Baldwin Wallace College placed #20 among the best values for exercise physiology. Set in the suburb of Berea, Baldwin Wallace College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,832. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $27,000. Exercise Physiology graduates of Baldwin Wallace College earn a median of $21,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Baldwin Wallace College admits about 76% of applicants.

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21
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #21 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 35 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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