[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 738 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.
Finding the Best Value Sports Management School for You
The sports management program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Sports Management Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Sports Management Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for sports management in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $45,046 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for sports management. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $50,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $39,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #4 makes Orange Coast College one of the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saddleback College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $5,707. Early-career sports management graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,551 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Cypress College earned the #7 position for value in sports management this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Diablo Valley College landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
College Of San Mateo came in at #9 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $12,831. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Farmingdale State College came in at #10 for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $29,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $18,660. Early-career sports management graduates make about $53,961. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Monica College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #13 for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $11,246. Early-career sports management graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida landed the #14 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Riverside City College earned the #16 position for value in sports management this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $8,046 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $25,516 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,046 median debt.
Union County College landed the #17 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Students borrow a median of $14,218 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $38,168. That is a strong return on a $14,218 median debt.
Rice University landed the #18 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $51,110. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Triton College landed the #19 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $12,994. Sports Management graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Florida earned the #21 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $16,500. Sports Management graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $33,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Lee College came in at #22 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Holmes Community College earned the #23 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $13,191. Sports Management graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,191 median debt.
The University Of West Florida ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. That is a strong return on a $22,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Sinclair Community College placed #25 among the best values for sports management. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sports management value ranking:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Sports Management. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 738 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 296 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).
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) 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.
