College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Wisconsin

7 Colleges in the United States
$25,526 Avg Student Debt
$57,014 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Badge [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.

College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Wisconsin

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Exercise Science Schools

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Wisconsin Parkside the best value for a degree in exercise science in Wisconsin. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,349 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $30,655 early in their careers. Set against $25,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at University Of Wisconsin River Falls, which ranked #2. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin River Falls earn a median of $50,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,245 median debt. University Of Wisconsin River Falls admits about 82% of applicants.

3

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the exercise science program here. 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. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $45,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse, which ranked #5. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $37,437. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

6

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #6 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $34,066. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #7 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $29,866 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

8

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,801. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

9
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI

Ripon College placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ripon College admits about 80% of applicants.

10

Wisconsin Lutheran College came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Wisconsin Lutheran College earn a median of $54,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

11
Lakeland College crest
Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI

Lakeland College earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,396. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,225. Exercise Science graduates of Lakeland College earn a median of $41,427 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. Lakeland College admits about 86% of applicants.

12

Marian University Wisconsin placed #12 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,204. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $72,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marian University Wisconsin admits about 75% of applicants.

13
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $33,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.

14
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $36,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

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 · 19 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options