[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 874 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
Finding the Best Value Exercise Science School for You
The right exercise science school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Exercise Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Exercise Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this 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.
Our analysis ranked Moorpark College the best value for a degree in exercise science in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $13,629 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,584. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shasta College earned it the #3 place for exercise science. Shasta College is a large public school located in the suburb of Redding. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $50,330 early in their careers. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes San Diego Miramar College one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $28,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Skyline College earned the #7 position for value in exercise science this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
California State University Fresno came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $14,314 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,931. Set against $14,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Oxnard College earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $9,776. Exercise Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $6,999. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Citrus College placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,204, with out-of-state students paying around $10,636. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,065.
College Of San Mateo placed #14 among the best values for exercise science. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the exercise science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College earned the #16 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
Saddleback College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #19 for value in exercise science this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $5,500. Exercise Science graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Valley College came in at #20 for value in exercise science this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,308. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $6,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $19,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #23 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $17,085 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $25,414. Set against $17,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Golden West College earned the #24 position for value in exercise science this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $10,861. Exercise Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $29,538 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 874 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 353 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).
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
