2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Iowa

1

Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA

Leading the list is Des Moines Area Community College, our #1 best value for exercise science in Iowa. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,956. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Iowa State University
Ames, IA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,492. Set against $25,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA

University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,500. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $38,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

5

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

6

Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $54,666 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $44,511. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

7

Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College earned the #7 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,824. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Loras College earn a median of $31,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.

8

Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,762. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,921. Exercise Science graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $43,236 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.

9

Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,642. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $61,105. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.

10

William Penn University
Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oskaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $30,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

11

Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College landed the #11 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $46,918. That is a strong return on a $26,793 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

12

Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA

Saint Ambrose University landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Exercise Science graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $26,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.

13

University Of Dubuque
Dubuque, IA

University Of Dubuque came in at #13 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,560 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,528. Set against $27,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

14

Northwestern College Iowa
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College Iowa earned the #14 position for value in exercise science this year. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,710. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. That is a strong return on a $25,415 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

15

Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,439 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

16

Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College placed #16 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,050. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

17

Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College landed the #17 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,120. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,426. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Luther College admits about 72% of applicants.