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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Virginia

9 Colleges in the United States
$26,130 Avg Student Debt
$57,442 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Badge [Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Virginia

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

1

Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $37,596. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Norfolk State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. Exercise Science graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $36,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Emory And Henry College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $28,146 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

5
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

A rank of #5 makes Longwood University one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $39,479 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.

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6

University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.

7
Bluefield College crest
Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA

Bluefield College landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,770. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,450. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

8
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,068 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,304. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roanoke College admits about 83% of applicants.

9
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,645. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $35,930. Set against $25,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

10
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,950. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $37,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

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11
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. Students from in state pay about $30,592 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Exercise Science graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $27,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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