2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools in the Southwest Region
[Exercise Physiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/exercise-physiology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise physiology students.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools in the Southwest 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
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among exercise physiology schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $23,160. Exercise Physiology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise physiology will find it at Rice University, which ranked #2. 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. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Houston Clear Lake earned it the #3 place for exercise physiology. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise physiology, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $22,244. Exercise Physiology graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $27,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned it the #5 place for exercise physiology. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $47,130. Set against $25,508 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #6 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $24,759. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #7 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $21,632. Exercise Physiology graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $55,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #8 among the best values for exercise physiology. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Dallas Baptist University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Set in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $22,819. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $48,822. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
