2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Arkansas
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Arkansas
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
Arkansas Tech University tops our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools in Arkansas. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. Students from in state pay about $8,674 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,668. Students borrow a median of $23,257 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,115 early in their careers. Set against $23,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas Tech University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,319. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Arkansas At Monticello one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Monticello, University Of Arkansas At Monticello is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,292 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,857 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Arkansas At Monticello earn a median of $29,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,169. Exercise Science graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $38,612 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,169 median debt. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Central Baptist College, which ranked #5. Central Baptist College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,330. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $46,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Central Baptist College generally make around $44,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Central Arkansas landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Central Arkansas is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $38,372 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Harding University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
John Brown University placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. John Brown University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Siloam Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $31,756. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,216. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,420. Set against $25,216 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ouachita Baptist University came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. Ouachita Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Arkadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,500. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,672 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,385. That is a strong return on a $19,672 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Lyon College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Lyon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Batesville. In-state tuition and fees average $31,000. Median earnings reach $44,232 ten years out. Lyon College admits about 63% of applicants.
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
