2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in South Carolina
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in South Carolina
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 Coastal Carolina University, our #1 best value for exercise science in South Carolina. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $36,399 early in their careers. Set against $26,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at University Of South Carolina Aiken, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,760, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $30,975 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Aiken earn a median of $25,467 early in their careers. Set against $30,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Lander University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,995. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $27,155. Set against $24,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Winthrop University one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,704. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coker College earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Located in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,416. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coker College admits about 94% of applicants.
Bob Jones University earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,892. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Bob Jones University generally make around $32,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Newberry College came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,100. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $33,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Newberry College admits about 90% of applicants.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,250. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,409. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University landed the #9 spot for exercise science value this year. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,520. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,722. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Anderson University Sc is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Anderson. Students from in state pay about $34,970 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $27,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,770. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,764 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,520. That is a strong return on a $23,764 median debt. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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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 · 13 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.
