2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in North Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $39,401 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,575 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $48,012. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Appalachian State University, which ranked #3. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $31,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,821. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
East Carolina University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $38,488 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Shaw University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,738. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Shaw University generally make around $18,987. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shaw University admits about 80% of applicants.
Chowan University came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,910. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $31,581 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Chowan University earn a median of $25,983 early in their careers. Set against $31,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. Students from in state pay about $27,366 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,820 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $27,413 early in their careers. Set against $25,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Wesleyan College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,586 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,713. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from North Carolina Wesleyan College generally make around $40,202. That is a strong return on a $26,713 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,013. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Catawba College placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,703. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Catawba College generally make around $27,305. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,630 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Meredith College generally make around $40,537. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint Augustines College landed the #13 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Saint Augustines College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,896 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $40,375. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Augustines College generally make around $23,500. Set against $40,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Augustines College admits about 34% of applicants.
Greensboro College placed #14 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Greensboro, Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,000. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Greensboro College generally make around $27,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Greensboro College admits about 70% of applicants.
Wingate University landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wingate. Students from in state pay about $42,576 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,936. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
Brevard College earned the #16 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Brevard, Brevard College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,280 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,667 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Peace College placed #17 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Raleigh, Peace College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,176. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,080. Exercise Science graduates of Peace College earn a median of $38,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Peace College admits about 94% of applicants.
Lenoir Rhyne University earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,900. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $22,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Pfeiffer University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,070. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Pfeiffer University earn a median of $26,744 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pfeiffer University admits about 96% of applicants.
Campbell University landed the #20 spot for exercise science value this year. Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Buies Creek. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,250. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,167. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Barton College earned the #21 position for value in exercise science this year. Barton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,000. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Barton College earn a median of $29,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Barton College admits about 94% of applicants.
Methodist University earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,250. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $30,124. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Methodist University generally make around $28,270. That is a strong return on a $30,124 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lees Mcrae College placed #23 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the rural area of Banner Elk, Lees Mcrae College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $33,850 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,821 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,268. Set against $19,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $21,192 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
High Point University landed the #25 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
More Exercise Science Rankings
View All Exercise Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
