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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Wilmington University tops our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools in Delaware. Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of New Castle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $57,142. That is a strong return on a $26,054 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Delaware State University one of the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Dover, Delaware State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,670, compared with $20,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,125. Sports Management graduates of Delaware State University earn a median of $25,704 early in their careers. Set against $27,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delaware State University admits about 47% of applicants.
University Of Delaware is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,336 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $26,555. Set against $25,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Goldey Beacom College, which ranked #4. Goldey Beacom College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $14,940. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $20,743 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Goldey Beacom College generally make around $57,634. That is a strong return on a $20,743 median debt. Goldey Beacom College admits about 84% of applicants.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.