2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Ohio
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Ohio
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
Our analysis ranked Columbus State Community College the best value for a degree in exercise science in Ohio. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the exercise science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sinclair Community College earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for exercise science. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,393. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,661. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,336. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $38,787. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. Cleveland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Shawnee State University landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $28,250. Exercise Science graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,640 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Marietta College came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,652. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $79,641. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Wittenberg University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,940. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,093. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $36,030 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central State University landed the #11 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,058, compared with $10,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,318 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,388. Set against $31,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Walsh University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,030. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,805. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,024 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,919 early in their careers. Set against $25,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ohio Dominican University landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,720. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ohio Dominican University generally make around $40,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Dominican University admits about 94% of applicants.
Lourdes College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sylvania. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,370. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $29,668. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $75,250. Set against $29,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lourdes College admits about 74% of applicants.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University earned the #16 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,193. Students borrow a median of $26,602 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,377. That is a strong return on a $26,602 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio Wesleyan University came in at #17 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,248. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ohio Wesleyan University generally make around $28,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Ashland University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,536 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $48,852. Set against $24,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Heidelberg University landed the #19 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Heidelberg University generally make around $42,334. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Heidelberg University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Mount Union earned the #20 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Alliance, University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mount Union admits about 78% of applicants.
Franklin University landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $9,577. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $34,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $57,471. Set against $34,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $40,569. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Wilmington College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Wilmington, Wilmington College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,082 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,433. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilmington College admits about 92% of applicants.
Malone University placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Malone University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,160. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Malone University earn a median of $31,005 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Capital University earned the #25 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Capital University earn a median of $28,183 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
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. 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
