2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Maine
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Maine
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
For return on investment in exercise science, no school beat University Of Southern Maine this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Southern Maine generally make around $29,478. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
A rank of #2 makes Husson University one of the best values for exercise science. Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,769 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,993. That is a strong return on a $28,769 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot 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. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Josephs College Of Maine generally make around $35,341. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at University Of New England, which ranked #4. University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Biddeford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $31,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
