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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Sports Management Bachelor’s Degree Schools

269 Colleges in the United States
$25,575 Avg Student Debt
$52,300 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sports Management Bachelor's Degree Badge [Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 738 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Sports Management Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in sports management, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,982. Early-career sports management graduates make about $39,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $13,629. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $25,101. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

3

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, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,982. Sports Management graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $39,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes Farmingdale State College one of the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $29,717. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

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6

University Of Central Florida came in at #6 for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

7
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #7 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $29,519. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

8

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #8 for value in sports management this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $18,660. Early-career sports management graduates make about $53,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

9
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University placed #9 among the best values for sports management. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $10,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,110. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.

10

University Of North Florida placed #10 among the best values for sports management. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $33,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

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11

The University Of West Florida came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,188. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Houston Victoria earned the #12 position for value in sports management this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,081. Early-career sports management graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.

13

American Public University System ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,381. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Indiana University Kokomo earned the #14 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Kokomo, Indiana University Kokomo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,619. Early-career sports management graduates make about $46,902. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Indiana University Kokomo admits about 86% of applicants.

15

University Of Georgia placed #15 among the best values for sports management. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $33,108 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

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16

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #16 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,135. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $43,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

17
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University earned the #17 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $20,682. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

18

Saint Xavier University earned the #18 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,753. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.

19

Utah State University landed the #19 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $16,191. Sports Management graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

20

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #20 spot for sports management value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $50,039. Set against $21,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

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21

Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #21 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,007 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $36,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

22

University Of Southern Indiana placed #22 among the best values for sports management. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $35,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.

23

University Of Wisconsin Parkside placed #23 among the best values for sports management. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,349 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $30,655. Set against $25,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

24

Arizona State University placed #24 among the best values for sports management. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,170. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $32,651. That is a strong return on a $21,170 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

25

New Jersey City University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Students borrow a median of $22,107 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of New Jersey City University earn a median of $47,083 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,107 median debt. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sports management:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
32
33
Rhode Island College crest
Rhode Island College
Providence, RI
34
35
36
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for value in sports management:

Rank College Location
#51 University Of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA Full Report
#52 Millikin University Decatur, IL Full Report
#53 Wichita State University Wichita, KS Full Report
#54 Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA Full Report

Other Sports Management Degree Levels

Explore the best-value sports management schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Sports Management
Associate's Degrees in Sports Management
Master's Degrees in Sports Management
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View All Sports Management Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 738 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 269 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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