2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Florida
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Florida
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 Florida. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,659. 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 The University Of West Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,188. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,643. Set against $22,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Florida International University one of the best values for exercise science. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,249 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $15,000. Exercise Science graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida placed #6 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,620. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Bethune Cookman University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Daytona Beach, Bethune Cookman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,794. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $31,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $25,459. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Warner University earned the #8 position for value in exercise science this year. Warner University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lake Wales. In-state tuition and fees average $29,992. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,995 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Barry University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,350. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $31,180. Exercise Science graduates of Barry University earn a median of $64,906 early in their careers. Set against $31,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern University landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,950. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,343 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $25,994 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Nova Southeastern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,560 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $23,136. Set against $24,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earned the #12 position for value in exercise science this year. Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Palm Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $54,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale came in at #13 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Fort Lauderdale, Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,056. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $29,454. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,427. Set against $29,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale admits about 97% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 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.
