by our College Data Analytics Team
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 34 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.
Leading the list is Triton College, our #1 best value for exercise science in Illinois. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $12,994. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
College Of Lake County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $9,785. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Saint Xavier University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,753. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
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Millikin University earned the #6 position 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. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $26,065 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Western Illinois University placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $31,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. 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. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northeastern Illinois University landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $49,254. That is a strong return on a $17,600 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,092 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,237. Exercise Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $34,811 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Eastern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. 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 Carbondale ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,750. Exercise Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,488. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,166 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Concordia University Chicago generally make around $40,158. Set against $26,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University earned the #15 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,856. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Aurora University placed #16 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $37,256 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #17 position for value in exercise science this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $37,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth College came in at #18 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Monmouth, Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,922 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,757 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Monmouth College earn a median of $29,027 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Elmhurst College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Students from in state pay about $42,955 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $31,538. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #20 for value in exercise science this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $28,990 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Greenville College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,200. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,445 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,911. That is a strong return on a $27,445 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Eureka College placed #22 among the best values for exercise science. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Eureka. Students from in state pay about $28,636 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,619 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,144. Set against $26,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eureka College admits about 85% of applicants.
North Central College landed the #23 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,609. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rockford College came in at #24 for value in exercise science this year. Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rockford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,780. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,094 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $56,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,094 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Benedictine University earned the #25 position for value in exercise science this year. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,648. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $44,714. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Benedictine University admits about 95% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
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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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.