2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Kentucky
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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 Kentucky
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
For return on investment in exercise science, no school beat Northern Kentucky University this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $42,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Eastern Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $33,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Morehead State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,946. Exercise Science graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $30,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,946 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Kentucky one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $43,994 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,593 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $25,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,593 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Louisville earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $36,995. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Campbellsville University placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,998 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Campbellsville University admits about 80% of applicants.
Asbury University landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Wilmore, Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Asbury University generally make around $50,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Asbury University admits about 63% of applicants.
Thomas More College placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Thomas More College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Crestview Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,025. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $31,608 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Thomas More College earn a median of $57,440 early in their careers. Set against $31,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas More College admits about 90% of applicants.
Transylvania University earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Lexington, Transylvania University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,870. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Transylvania University generally make around $45,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Bellarmine University landed the #11 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Bellarmine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,770 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,944 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Union College Kentucky placed #12 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Barbourville, Union College Kentucky is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,946. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,852. Exercise Science graduates of Union College Kentucky earn a median of $54,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Kentucky Wesleyan College earned the #13 position for value in exercise science this year. Kentucky Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,673. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 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.
