2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the New England Region
[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 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Leading the list is Capital Community College, our #1 best value for exercise science in the New England Region. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Rhode Island College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $45,088. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Fitchburg State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $37,218. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for exercise science. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,500. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,478. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $35,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Connecticut State University admits about 73% of applicants.
Salem State University landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $31,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Plymouth State University earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $51,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Keene State College placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, while out-of-state students pay about $26,840. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,892. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Keene State College generally make around $29,990. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Husson University came in at #11 for value in exercise science this year. Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. Students from in state pay about $23,304 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,769 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Husson University earn a median of $37,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont placed #12 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,163 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Vermont Technical College placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $37,493 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,125. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,704. That is a strong return on a $23,125 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $32,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #16 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $24,029. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine landed the #17 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,420. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Josephs College Of Maine generally make around $35,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Lasell College placed #18 among the best values for exercise science. Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,040. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lasell College generally make around $40,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
American International College earned the #19 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $30,390. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from American International College generally make around $66,104. That is a strong return on a $30,390 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Smith College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,941. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $43,642. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Norwich University earned the #21 position for value in exercise science this year. Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,740. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Norwich University generally make around $33,805. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Simmons College placed #22 among the best values for exercise science. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $48,876. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Colby Sawyer College earned the #23 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the rural area of New London, Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,125. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Colby Sawyer College generally make around $30,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colby Sawyer College admits about 80% of applicants.
Saint Joseph College placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of West Hartford, Saint Joseph College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,278. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,798. Exercise Science graduates of Saint Joseph College earn a median of $75,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Springfield College came in at #25 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $39,402. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State
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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
