2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in New York
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in New York
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
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for exercise science in New York. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $13,629 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $50,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $10,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $29,538. That is a strong return on a $10,861 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Queens College one of the best values for exercise science. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $16,236. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Cuny Bronx Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Onondaga Community College earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,623 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,781. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dutchess Community College placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $11,836. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $32,978. That is a strong return on a $11,836 median debt.
Finger Lakes Community College landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the rural area of Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,258, while out-of-state students pay about $8,442. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $16,736 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,467. That is a strong return on a $16,736 median debt.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,540. Exercise Science graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $32,485 early in their careers. Set against $26,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,831 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,600 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,119. Set against $22,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Students borrow a median of $26,753 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $26,253. That is a strong return on a $26,753 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $63,418. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Canisius College landed the #13 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Canisius College admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland placed #14 among the best values for exercise science. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,681 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $37,691. That is a strong return on a $25,681 median debt. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Mercy College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $25,520 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $23,094. That is a strong return on a $25,520 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of $44,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
St Francis College earned the #17 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,966. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from St Francis College generally make around $40,678. Set against $24,966 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #18 among the best values for exercise science. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattanville College placed #19 among the best values for exercise science. Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,604. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $46,551. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Manhattan College earned the #20 position for value in exercise science this year. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. In-state tuition and fees average $53,400. Students borrow a median of $25,968 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Manhattan College earn a median of $61,065 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Saint John Fisher College placed #21 among the best values for exercise science. Saint John Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $41,190 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,364 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Adelphi University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,106. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Syracuse University landed the #23 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $34,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
