2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Montana
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Montana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Montana Western the best value for a degree in exercise science in Montana. Set in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Rocky Mountain College one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,582. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Rocky Mountain College generally make around $30,025. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Montana State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,635. Exercise Science graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Great Falls is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Great Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,448. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,847 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Great Falls earn a median of $104,670 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
