2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Oklahoma

[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Oklahoma
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Leading the list is Southeastern Oklahoma State University, our #1 best value for exercise science in Oklahoma. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $53,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,280. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Rose State College one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Midwest City, Rose State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, compared with $11,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,451. Exercise Science graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,451 median debt.
Northeastern State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,041. Exercise Science graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $34,428 early in their careers. Set against $19,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #5 makes Oklahoma State University Main Campus one of the best values for exercise science. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,200 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,437. That is a strong return on a $22,200 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,657 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $30,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Southern Nazarene University landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,190. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Southern Nazarene University generally make around $52,611. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt.
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, while out-of-state students pay about $19,704. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $33,125. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Southwestern Christian University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Southwestern Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bethany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,900. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,063. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt.
Oral Roberts University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,470 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,965 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $32,150 early in their careers. Set against $25,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Tulsa placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,546. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,638. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $66,166. That is a strong return on a $23,638 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,570 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,425. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Oklahoma Baptist University generally make around $47,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bartlesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,550. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $30,970. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Oklahoma Wesleyan University generally make around $64,764. Set against $30,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.