2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Georgia
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Georgia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Georgia, our #1 best value for exercise science in Georgia. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,359. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Gwinnett College earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,280 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Augusta University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Augusta University is a large public school located in the city of Augusta. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $26,031 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,490. That is a strong return on a $26,031 median debt. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Columbus State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Military College Milledgeville one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,605 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,587. Exercise Science graduates of Georgia Military College Milledgeville earn a median of $29,788 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,587 median debt.
Georgia State University landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,091. Exercise Science graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $45,380 early in their careers. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Georgia Southern University placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,338 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $38,334. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Exercise Science graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $34,369 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University landed the #9 spot for exercise science value this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $29,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Lagrange College earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Lagrange, Lagrange College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Lagrange College earn a median of $52,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Thomas University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Thomasville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $28,454. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $59,773. Set against $28,454 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas University admits about 38% of applicants.
Emmanuel College Georgia came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Franklin Springs, Emmanuel College Georgia is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $25,500. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,670. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Emmanuel College Georgia generally make around $30,093. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Berry College landed the #13 spot for exercise science value this year. Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,486. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,931 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $25,091. That is a strong return on a $24,931 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Mercer University placed #14 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $56,699. Set against $32,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
More Exercise Science Rankings
View All Exercise Science Rankings >
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
