2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Oregon
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Oregon
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Western Oregon University earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in Oregon. Western Oregon University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Monmouth. Students from in state pay about $11,514 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,169. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,249. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Oregon University admits about 98% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Oregon State University, which ranked #2. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,201 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $29,860. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Warner Pacific College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Portland, Warner Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,220. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $41,254. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Warner Pacific College generally make around $31,903. Set against $41,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northwest Christian University earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Eugene. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,800. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northwest Christian University generally make around $62,860. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Willamette University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $51,156. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,343. Exercise Science graduates of Willamette University earn a median of $41,892 early in their careers. Set against $25,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Corban University came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Salem, Corban University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,963. Students borrow a median of $24,318 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $41,194. Set against $24,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Linfield College landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of McMinnville, Linfield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,736. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Linfield College generally make around $31,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
George Fox University came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,320. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,743. Exercise Science graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $29,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,743 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pacific University came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Forest Grove, Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $56,374. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,848. Exercise Science graduates of Pacific University earn a median of $26,219 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,848 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
More Exercise Science Rankings
View All Exercise Science Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
