2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Kansas
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Kansas the best value for a degree in exercise science in Kansas. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,891. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #2 makes Barton County Community College one of the best values for exercise science. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,792. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $44,536. That is a strong return on a $14,792 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Central Christian College Of Kansas, which ranked #3. Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McPherson. In-state tuition and fees average $21,000. Students borrow a median of $25,295 to complete the exercise science program here. 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. Central Christian College Of Kansas admits about 53% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,900 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $36,393 early in their careers. Set against $24,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Tabor College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,200 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,058. Tabor College admits about 65% of applicants.
Baker University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,200. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $29,554. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Baker University generally make around $62,916. That is a strong return on a $29,554 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Sterling College Kansas came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Sterling, Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,700. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,250. Exercise Science graduates of Sterling College Kansas earn a median of $30,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Saint Mary came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Leavenworth. Students from in state pay about $35,380 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,946 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Saint Mary earn a median of $29,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,946 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Kansas Wesleyan University earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,630. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,076. Exercise Science graduates of Kansas Wesleyan University earn a median of $42,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,076 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Benedictine College came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Students borrow a median of $26,798 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $46,255 early in their careers. Set against $26,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Ottawa University Ottawa ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ottawa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,880. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,426. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Midamerica Nazarene University placed #12 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,174. Students borrow a median of $25,740 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Midamerica Nazarene University generally make around $63,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
