2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 94 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Southwest Region
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
El Paso Community College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $5,500. Exercise Science graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $15,110 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $44,258. That is a strong return on a $15,110 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Southeastern Oklahoma State University one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,660. Exercise Science graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,327 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,625. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $11,627. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,500. Exercise Science graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #8 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,167. Exercise Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $43,770 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,052. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #11 for value in exercise science this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,049 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $23,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #12 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $35,107 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $36,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,007 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $45,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,007 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #15 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,957 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $32,302. Set against $27,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rose State College came in at #16 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,451 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sul Ross State University came in at #17 for value in exercise science this year. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. Students from in state pay about $7,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,672. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,670 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Sul Ross State University earn a median of $49,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,670 median debt. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Lamar University placed #18 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,935. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northeastern State University earned the #19 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,041 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az earned the #20 position for value in exercise science this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University landed the #22 spot for exercise science value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,170 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $41,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University came in at #23 for value in exercise science this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,415. Exercise Science graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #24 for value in exercise science this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,690 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $32,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Texas A And M University Texarkana came in at #25 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,349 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,270 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Texas A And M University Texarkana earn a median of $44,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 94 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
