by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Union County College, our #1 best value for sports management in New Jersey. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, compared with $9,500 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,218 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $38,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Jersey City University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,107 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $47,083. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,770. Early-career sports management graduates make about $46,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Peters College earned it the #4 place for sports management. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,051. Early-career sports management graduates make about $19,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at William Paterson University Of New Jersey, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $29,189. Early-career sports management graduates make about $31,382. That is a strong return on a $29,189 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
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Georgian Court University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $37,110. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Georgian Court University generally make around $54,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University landed the #7 spot for sports management value this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,488. Sports Management graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #8 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $39,484. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Seton Hall University placed #9 among the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $39,333. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
