by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 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 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for exercise science in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bucks County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lehigh Carbon Community College earned it the #3 place for exercise science. Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Schnecksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $13,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,450. Exercise Science graduates of Lehigh Carbon Community College earn a median of $39,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,303 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,463. Set against $26,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
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York College Pennsylvania came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. Students from in state pay about $25,588 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,770, while out-of-state students pay about $26,644. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,916. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Seton Hill University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,944. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Seton Hill University generally make around $32,975. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Thiel College landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Greenville, Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,344 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thiel College admits about 72% of applicants.
Kings College came in at #11 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,980. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Kings College generally make around $45,414. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Gannon University landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,390. Exercise Science graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $73,658 early in their careers. Set against $26,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #13 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks admits about 99% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #15 position for value in exercise science this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $30,616. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Chatham University earned the #16 position for value in exercise science this year. Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,001. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,453 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Chatham University generally make around $61,339. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University came in at #17 for value in exercise science this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,400. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $50,474 early in their careers. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lebanon Valley College earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $39,243 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University placed #19 among the best values for exercise science. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $47,355. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $32,256. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $64,243. That is a strong return on a $32,256 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Alvernia University placed #20 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,000. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,960. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,260. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Immaculata University landed the #22 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Immaculata, Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,980 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 $26,236. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Immaculata University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #23 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $24,916 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Desales University earned the #24 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Center Valley, Desales University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,729. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Scranton ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,777 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $56,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for exercise science this year:
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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.