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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Master’s Degree Schools

85 Colleges in the United States
$23,907 Avg Student Debt
$56,369 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Master's Degree Badge [Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 874 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the United States

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

1

Leading the list is California State University Fresno, our #1 best value for exercise science in the United States. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. Set against $14,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $49,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,551 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

3

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,110 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $60,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

4

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

5
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,500. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Florida Atlantic University landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,659 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,952. That is a strong return on a $20,659 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

7

University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,249. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

9

Florida International University earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

10

The University Of West Florida placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,188. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

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11

American Public University System placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $59,601 early in their careers. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Texas Womans University earned the #12 position for value in exercise science this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,167 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $55,110 early in their careers. Set against $20,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

13

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $47,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.

14

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,874. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #15 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Students borrow a median of $25,349 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,655. That is a strong return on a $25,349 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

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16

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #16 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #17 among the best values for exercise science. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,884. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #18 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,102. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $29,123. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

19

Southern Utah University earned the #19 position for value in exercise science this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,352. Exercise Science graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $30,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,352 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.

20

Utah State University came in at #20 for value in exercise science this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

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21

University Of Wyoming earned the #21 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $31,326. Set against $22,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of North Alabama ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,714. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.

23

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #23 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,492. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,626. Set against $22,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

24

Texas A And M University Commerce placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,007 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $55,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,007 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

25

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #25 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Mcneese State University crest
Mcneese State University
Lake Charles, LA
37
38
39
40
41
42
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
43
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
44
45
46
47
48
49
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
50

Other Exercise Science Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Exercise Science rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Exercise Science
Associate's Degrees in Exercise Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Exercise Science
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View All Exercise Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 874 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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