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 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in Utah. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Southern Utah University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,352. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $30,092. That is a strong return on a $14,352 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $16,191. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Provo earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $9,281. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $25,253. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Dixie State College Of Utah is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public school located in the city of Saint George. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,437. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,912. That is a strong return on a $18,437 median debt.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.