2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Wisconsin

[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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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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.
- 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.