2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Ohio
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
Sinclair Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. 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. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Cuyahoga Community College District one of the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Columbus State Community College earned it the #3 place for sports management. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the sports management program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Hocking College, which ranked #5. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $16,535. Sports Management graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,535 median debt.
Cleveland State University earned the #6 position for value in sports management this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $26,336 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $38,787. Set against $26,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for sports management. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Portsmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $31,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,878. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Mount St Joseph landed the #9 spot for sports management value this year. College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,150. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of College Of Mount St Joseph earn a median of $31,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Marietta College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marietta. Students from in state pay about $39,652 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $79,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for sports management value this year. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $35,640. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Wittenberg University came in at #12 for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,940. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Wittenberg University generally make around $40,093. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Wittenberg University admits about 72% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent placed #13 among the best values for sports management. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $36,030. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Bluffton University landed the #14 spot for sports management value this year. Bluffton University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bluffton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,362. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Bluffton University generally make around $28,602. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #15 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $45,420. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Walsh University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,030. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,805 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Walsh University generally make around $53,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Walsh University admits about 71% of applicants.
Ohio Dominican University earned the #17 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,720 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $40,467. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,024 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $31,919. That is a strong return on a $25,024 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northwestern Ohio landed the #19 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of Lima, University Of Northwestern Ohio is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,366. Students borrow a median of $23,805 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $44,784. That is a strong return on a $23,805 median debt.
Muskingum University placed #20 among the best values for sports management. Muskingum University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Concord. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,701. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $16,067. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Lourdes College landed the #21 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of Sylvania, Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,370 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $29,668 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $75,250. Set against $29,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lourdes College admits about 74% of applicants.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #22 among the best values for sports management. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,193. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University earn a median of $53,377 early in their careers. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio Wesleyan University earned the #23 position for value in sports management this year. Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Delaware. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,248. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Ohio Wesleyan University earn a median of $28,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Ashland University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,536. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $48,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Lake Erie College earned the #25 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Painesville, Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,634. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Lake Erie College generally make around $65,474. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Sports Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sports management:
More Sports Management Rankings
View All Sports Management Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
