2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

1

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Our analysis ranked Northeast Community College the best value for a degree in exercise science in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $11,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Truman State University
Kirksville, MO

Truman State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,865. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

3

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #3. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,956. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

A rank of #4 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for exercise science. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,661 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $42,812. Set against $25,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

5

Missouri Southern State University
Joplin, MO

Missouri Southern State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,947 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $34,465 early in their careers. Set against $24,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

6

Alexandria Technical And Community College
Alexandria, MN

Alexandria Technical And Community College earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alexandria. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,054 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $45,368. That is a strong return on a $14,054 median debt.

7

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,954. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.

8

University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,891 early in their careers. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

9

Peru State College
Peru, NE

Peru State College came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Peru State College earn a median of $40,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.

10

North Dakota State University Main Campus
Fargo, ND

North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

11

Barton County Community College
Great Bend, KS

Barton County Community College placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Students borrow a median of $14,792 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

College Of Saint Mary
Omaha, NE

College Of Saint Mary placed #12 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,510. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,539 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from College Of Saint Mary generally make around $66,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Mary admits about 45% of applicants.

13

Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO

University Of Central Missouri ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $39,975. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

15

Central Christian College Of Kansas
McPherson, KS

Central Christian College Of Kansas earned the #15 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,000. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,295 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $49,979 early in their careers. Set against $25,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

16

Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN

Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #16 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,361. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Exercise Science graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $32,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Southwest Minnesota State University admits about 62% of applicants.

17

Missouri State University Springfield
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield placed #17 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $22,876 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $29,761. That is a strong return on a $22,876 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

18

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

Iowa State University earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,425. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,492. Set against $25,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.

19

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #19 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,500. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,385. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.

20

Winona State University
Winona, MN

Winona State University placed #20 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,550 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $41,742. That is a strong return on a $25,550 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

21

Avila University
Kansas City, MO

Avila University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,200. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,234. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

22

Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead, MN

Minnesota State University Moorhead earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. In-state tuition and fees average $10,428. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,500. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $38,088. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.

23

Bemidji State University
Bemidji, MN

Bemidji State University earned the #23 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,898 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $32,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.

24

South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD

South Dakota State University landed the #24 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $41,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,629. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $33,055 early in their careers. Set against $23,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.