2026 Best Value Sports Management Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in sports management, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $50,375. Set against $19,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. 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 $49,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,551 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

3

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned it the #3 place for sports management. Located in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. 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%.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $39,740 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

5

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #5 place for sports management. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,620. Early-career sports management graduates make about $46,398. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,829. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

7

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida earned the #7 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $28,643. Set against $22,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

8

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $59,601. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #10 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $41,473 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

11

University Of Wisconsin Parkside
Kenosha, WI

University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned the #11 position for value in sports management this year. 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, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,349 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $30,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

12

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #12 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. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $21,102 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Set against $21,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

13

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, 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 $39,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

14

University Of North Alabama
Florence, AL

University Of North Alabama placed #14 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $29,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

15

Texas A And M University Commerce
Commerce, TX

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,007 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $55,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,007 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

16

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University earned the #16 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $49,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Mississippi Main Campus
University, MS

University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,034 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $22,239. That is a strong return on a $23,034 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

18

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University earned the #18 position for value in sports management this year. 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. Early-career sports management graduates make about $61,551. Set against $17,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.

19

Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University came in at #19 for value in sports management this year. Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,660. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,596. Early-career sports management graduates make about $60,890. That is a strong return on a $24,596 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

20

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $20,981. 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%.

21

East Central University
Ada, OK

East Central University landed the #21 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,032, with out-of-state students paying around $17,842. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $29,616. That is a strong return on a $21,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

22

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University placed #22 among the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,418. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $39,864. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.

23

Minot State University
Minot, ND

Minot State University landed the #23 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,788. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

24

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

25

Morehead State University
Morehead, KY

Morehead State University landed the #25 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,946. Early-career sports management graduates make about $30,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.