by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sports management schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of San Mateo earned the #1 spot for value among sports management schools in the Far Western Region. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $12,831 in student loans. 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.
Saddleback College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #3 spot this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cypress College earned it the #4 place for sports management. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Orange Coast College earned it the #5 place for sports management. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
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Riverside City College landed the #6 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,046 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $25,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $9,205. Early-career sports management graduates make about $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for value in sports management this year. 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, 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.
Fullerton College earned the #9 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,366.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #10 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,102. Sports Management graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Bellevue College came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Bellevue College earn a median of $67,771 early in their careers. Set against $18,839 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #12 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,439. Sports Management graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #13 among the best values for sports management. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $5,418, while out-of-state students pay about $5,976. Students borrow a median of $17,154 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $39,975. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.
Cuesta College earned the #14 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,350, while out-of-state students pay about $11,010. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Cuesta College earn a median of $64,492 early in their careers. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Hondo College placed #15 among the best values for sports management. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. Students from in state pay about $1,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,884. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $15,510. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno Pacific University earned the #16 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $60,890. Set against $24,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Washington State University came in at #17 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $20,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $30,815. That is a strong return on a $20,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Brigham Young University Hawaii placed #18 among the best values for sports management. Located in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Brigham Young University Hawaii generally make around $41,461. Brigham Young University Hawaii admits about 47% of applicants.
Central Washington University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,848 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of $48,410 early in their careers. Set against $17,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Christian University came in at #20 for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Eugene, Northwest Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,800. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Northwest Christian University earn a median of $62,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
California Lutheran University placed #21 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,560. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $33,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Lutheran University admits about 76% of applicants.
Warner Pacific College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Warner Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,220. Students borrow a median of $41,254 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $31,903. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Warner Pacific College admits about 71% of applicants.
Ashford University earned the #23 position for value in sports management this year. Ashford University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,960. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $38,750. Early-career sports management graduates make about $44,513. Set against $38,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Menlo College placed #24 among the best values for sports management. Located in the suburb of Atherton, Menlo College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,686. Early-career sports management graduates make about $60,211. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Menlo College admits about 68% of applicants.
Linfield College earned the #25 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of McMinnville, Linfield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,736 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Linfield College generally make around $31,285. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Linfield College admits about 85% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sports management value ranking:
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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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.