2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 142 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,160. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $33,756. That is a strong return on a $24,160 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Lake County earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Saint Xavier University, which ranked #3. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,735. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Springfield earned it the #4 place for exercise science. 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. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,344. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $28,874 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Triton College came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $12,994. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,278. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,135. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $42,490. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Oakland University earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,972 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Sinclair Community College placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College landed the #11 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,349. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,655. Set against $25,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $21,425 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #14 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,640. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ivy Tech Community College landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $11,889 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #16 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Set against $27,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $17,600. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $49,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,306. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. Set against $25,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #21 position for value in exercise science this year. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,237 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,811. That is a strong return on a $23,237 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,393 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $30,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,393 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls earned the #23 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of River Falls, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,245 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,651. Set against $24,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Millikin University came in at #24 for value in exercise science this year. Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Decatur. Students from in state pay about $26,792 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,065. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #25 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,250. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,437. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 76% 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:
Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State
More Exercise Science Rankings
View All Exercise Science Rankings >
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 · 142 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
