2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 195 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, 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 $45,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $39,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $46,398. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for sports management. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $34,630 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. 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.
University Of North Florida placed #6 among the best values for sports management. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $33,364. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida placed #7 among the best values for sports management. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System came in at #8 for value in sports management this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $55,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $20,682 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #10 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,359. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Holmes Community College came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $13,191. Early-career sports management graduates make about $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #12 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,034. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $22,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Western Carolina University placed #13 among the best values for sports management. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $41,176 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Western Kentucky University earned the #14 position for value in sports management this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,593 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $25,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,593 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama landed the #15 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,250. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Morehead State University landed the #16 spot for sports management value this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,946 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $30,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #17 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $36,462 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #18 for value in sports management this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,630 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $31,401. Set against $22,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $33,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for sports management value this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $43,319. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #21 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $25,623. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Kentucky State University earned the #22 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,387, compared with $13,578 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $29,774 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Louisiana University placed #23 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $35,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #24 for value in sports management this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,500. Sports Management graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $35,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Old Dominion University earned the #25 position for value in sports management this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $37,596. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for sports management this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 195 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 98 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.
