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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools in North Carolina

4 Colleges in the United States
$25,360 Avg Student Debt
$50,431 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Badge [Exercise Physiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/exercise-physiology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise physiology education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise physiology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools in North Carolina

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

For return on investment in exercise physiology, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Charlotte this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

2

Winston Salem State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,653 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $43,969 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Appalachian State University earned it the #3 place for exercise physiology. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.

4

North Carolina Central University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $42,873 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

East Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise physiology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,717 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $27,494. Set against $24,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University landed the #6 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $21,500. Exercise Physiology graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

7
Montreat College crest
Montreat College
Montreat, NC

Montreat College came in at #7 for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the suburb of Montreat, Montreat College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,450. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $24,168. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Montreat College generally make around $29,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.

8

Queens University Of Charlotte ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,846. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $59,654. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Queens University Of Charlotte admits about 62% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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