2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in West Virginia
[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 11 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in West 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
Marshall University tops our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools in West Virginia. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $20,682. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Fairmont State University one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Fairmont State University generally make around $30,833. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,312. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $55,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Virginia University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,145. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Liberty University earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Set in the rural area of West Liberty, West Liberty University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,893, while out-of-state students pay about $17,442. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from West Liberty University generally make around $24,139. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia Wesleyan College placed #6 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Buckhannon, West Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,090. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,526. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Wheeling Jesuit University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Wheeling Jesuit University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wheeling. In-state tuition and fees average $29,875. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Wheeling Jesuit University generally make around $38,212. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Davis And Elkins College came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Elkins, Davis And Elkins College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,820. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $71,201. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Charleston landed the #9 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,617. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $64,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
