by our College Data Analytics Team
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 874 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Moorpark College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Shasta College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. That is a strong return on a $12,275 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $8,098. Exercise Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Skyline College earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
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Oxnard College came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
College Of The Canyons ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #9 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $6,999. Exercise Science graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Citrus College placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Citrus College is a large public school located in the suburb of Glendora. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,065 ten years after entry.
College Of San Mateo placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the exercise science program here. Median earnings reach $54,172 ten years out. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College earned the #12 position for value in exercise science this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, 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 #13 position for value in exercise science this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $7,271. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #15 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. 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.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #16 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $6,865 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $19,869. That is a strong return on a $6,865 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #17 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
West Valley College earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $0 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #19 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Golden West College earned the #20 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
Santa Ana College earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $39,633. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #23 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Moreno Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Moreno Valley. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $12,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Norco College placed #25 among the best values for exercise science. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,206 ten years after entry. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
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Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Exercise Science rankings across degree levels:
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 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.