2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 174 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 Southeast Region
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
Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for exercise science in the Southeast Region. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,682. Set against $20,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at University Of Central Florida, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,620. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,725. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,829. Exercise Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,188. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $39,401. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
American Public University System ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $55,491 early in their careers. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #9 spot for exercise science value this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Marshall University placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $20,682. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Fairmont State University placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairmont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $30,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Northwest Mississippi Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Northwest Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Senatobia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $9,990. Exercise Science graduates of Northwest Mississippi Community College earn a median of $35,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,500. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earn a median of $29,772 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University placed #17 among the best values for exercise science. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $25,858. That is a strong return on a $24,593 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $30,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #19 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,034. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $22,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #20 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,190, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Louisiana Monroe generally make around $34,789. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Alexandria landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the rural area of Alexandria, Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, compared with $14,725 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,656 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Louisiana State University Alexandria generally make around $47,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University came in at #22 for value in exercise science this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,946 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Morehead State University generally make around $30,696. That is a strong return on a $25,946 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #23 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Middle Tennessee State University placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,500. Exercise Science graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $36,462 early in their careers. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Gwinnett College landed the #25 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,844. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Georgia Gwinnett College earn a median of $55,992 early in their careers. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Gwinnett College admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
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 · 174 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 99 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.
