2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Alabama
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Alabama
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 University Of North Alabama, our #1 best value for exercise science in Alabama. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. 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. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of West Alabama is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $53,270. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Troy University earned it the #3 place for exercise science. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $45,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Auburn University At Montgomery one of the best values for exercise science. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,700, while out-of-state students pay about $20,668. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Auburn University At Montgomery generally make around $46,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jacksonville State University earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,894, with out-of-state students paying around $23,334. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,751. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $45,361. That is a strong return on a $24,751 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Alabama A And M University earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Normal, Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,634. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $36,000. Exercise Science graduates of Alabama A And M University earn a median of $27,568 early in their careers. Set against $36,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Alabama A And M University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Montevallo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,948, with out-of-state students paying around $26,968. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Montevallo earn a median of $30,250 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mobile landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the rural area of Mobile, University Of Mobile is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,910. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Mobile earn a median of $26,785 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Huntsville placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Huntsville, University Of Alabama At Huntsville is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,132, compared with $26,408 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Alabama At Huntsville generally make around $27,788. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Faulkner University landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Montgomery, Faulkner University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,920. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $34,658. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $25,710. Set against $34,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Huntingdon College earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. Huntingdon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Montgomery. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,070. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,798. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,469. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Huntingdon College admits about 70% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
