2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in South Dakota

[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.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in South Dakota
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Leading the list is South Dakota State University, our #1 best value for exercise science in South Dakota. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $41,595. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at University Of South Dakota, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,566. That is a strong return on a $26,322 median debt. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dakota State University earned it the #3 place for exercise science. Located in the town of Madison, Dakota State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,756. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,724 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Dakota State University earn a median of $51,970 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,724 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at University Of Sioux Falls, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, University Of Sioux Falls is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,146 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Sioux Falls generally make around $34,839. That is a strong return on a $24,146 median debt. University Of Sioux Falls admits about 83% of applicants.
Augustana College South Dakota came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Sioux Falls, Augustana College South Dakota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,160. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,625. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,088. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 68% 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.