by our College Data Analytics Team
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in exercise science, no school beat El Paso Community College this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,327. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,867. Set against $19,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $15,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $44,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #4. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,625. Exercise Science graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grayson College earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $11,627. Exercise Science graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $42,487 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $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 #7 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $20,167 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
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The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #8 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. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,049. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $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 ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $35,107 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #11 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $36,293 early in their careers. 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 earned the #12 position for value in exercise science this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,007. 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. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #13 for value in exercise science this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. 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. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Sul Ross State University earned the #14 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Sul Ross State University generally make around $49,891. That is a strong return on a $27,670 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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Lamar University landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $31,935. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #16 spot for exercise science value 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. Students borrow a median of $23,690 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Angelo State University came in at #17 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,093. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Angelo State University generally make around $40,472. Set against $21,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Houston earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,298 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $35,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Texarkana ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,349, 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. That is a strong return on a $25,270 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #20 for value in exercise science this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,292 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $33,957. That is a strong return on a $18,292 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
Midwestern State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of North Texas came in at #22 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Jarvis Christian College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Jarvis Christian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hawkins. Students from in state pay about $11,720 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Jarvis Christian College earn a median of $25,621 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #24 position for value in exercise science this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,023. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,499. Set against $19,023 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #25 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $37,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
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These schools also delivered strong value for exercise science this year:
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This list is compiled 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.