2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Illinois

1

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College tops our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools in Illinois. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Saint Xavier University
Chicago, IL

Saint Xavier University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

3

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Northern Illinois University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,418. Sports Management graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

4

Millikin University
Decatur, IL

A rank of #4 makes Millikin University one of the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $26,792. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Millikin University earn a median of $26,065 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

5

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Eastern Illinois University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

6

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University came in at #6 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $33,473 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

7

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #7 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,750. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

8

Concordia University Chicago
River Forest, IL

Concordia University Chicago landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,488 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,166 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $40,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

9

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #9 among the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,200. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $28,856. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

10

Quincy University
Quincy, IL

Quincy University placed #10 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,691 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $46,414. That is a strong return on a $26,691 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.

11

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #11 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $37,256 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.

12

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #12 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,375. Early-career sports management graduates make about $31,538. That is a strong return on a $23,375 median debt. Elmhurst College admits about 74% of applicants.

13

Greenville College
Greenville, IL

Greenville College earned the #13 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,200 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,445 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Greenville College generally make around $36,911. Set against $27,445 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

14

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University placed #14 among the best values for sports management. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $28,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.

15

Eureka College
Eureka, IL

Eureka College came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Eureka, Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,636 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,619. Sports Management graduates of Eureka College earn a median of $40,144 early in their careers. Set against $26,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

16

North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College earned the #16 position for value in sports management this year. North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Naperville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $34,609. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

17

Mckendree University
Lebanon, IL

Mckendree University came in at #17 for value in sports management this year. Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lebanon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $31,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

18

Judson University
Elgin, IL

Judson University landed the #18 spot for sports management value this year. Judson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $30,297. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,685. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Judson University generally make around $47,550. That is a strong return on a $27,685 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.

19

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University earned the #19 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $58,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern University admits about 8% of applicants.

20

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University placed #20 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,704. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $50,808 early in their careers. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.