[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 874 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,629. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $25,101. Set against $13,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,314 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #4. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. 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. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $10,861 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $29,538 early in their careers. Set against $10,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $16,236 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,110 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $27,731. Set against $15,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,327 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $24,867 early in their careers. Set against $19,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,148 early in their careers. Set against $14,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $18,129 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,901. That is a strong return on a $18,129 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #11 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,660. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,961. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $30,412. That is a strong return on a $20,659 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #13 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #14 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of West Florida ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,188. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
New Mexico State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in exercise science this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
American Public University System placed #18 among the best values for exercise science. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University came in at #19 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,167. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $32,429. That is a strong return on a $20,167 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University placed #21 among the best values for exercise science. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $20,682. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $24,449 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $34,575. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
California State University San Marcos came in at #23 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,682. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,257. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $48,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $16,575. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,102 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $29,123. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
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 · 874 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 336 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/) 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.
