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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Massachusetts

4 Colleges in the United States
$26,449 Avg Student Debt
$56,685 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Exercise Science 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Massachusetts

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

Our analysis ranked Fitchburg State University the best value for a degree in exercise science in Massachusetts. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $37,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $66,985. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

3

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,755. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.

4
Lasell College crest
Lasell College
Newton, MA

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Lasell College, which ranked #4. 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. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,486. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American International College earned it the #5 place for exercise science. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,230. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of American International College earn a median of $66,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,390 median debt. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.

6
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.

7
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $48,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

8
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $39,402 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

9
Curry College crest
Curry College
Milton, MA

Curry College earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,570. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,571 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Curry College generally make around $59,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Curry College admits about 88% of applicants.

10
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA

Dean College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,526. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,609. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

11
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

12
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College placed #12 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,650 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,338. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

View All Exercise Science Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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