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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Virginia

10 Colleges in the United States
$26,201 Avg Student Debt
$55,555 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Sports Management Badge [Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports management education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sports management schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Virginia

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

1

Old Dominion University tops our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools in Virginia. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $37,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #2 place for sports management. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,514 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $47,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Commonwealth University earned it the #3 place for sports management. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,813. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $45,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

4

Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,033. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $36,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Virginia State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $29,010. Sports Management graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $34,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,010 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

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Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.

7
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #7 among the best values for sports management. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $40,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

8
Virginia Wesleyan College crest
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $37,500. Students borrow a median of $27,925 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $45,517. That is a strong return on a $27,925 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

9

Emory And Henry College landed the #9 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $28,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

10
Bluefield College crest
Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA

Bluefield College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Bluefield. In-state tuition and fees average $26,770. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Bluefield College earn a median of $49,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

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Averett University crest
Averett University
Danville, VA

Averett University earned the #11 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $28,000. Sports Management graduates of Averett University earn a median of $36,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

12
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College came in at #12 for value in sports management this year. Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,068. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $27,304. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roanoke College admits about 83% of applicants.

13
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #13 spot for sports management value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,645 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $35,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

14
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,950 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 $62,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.

15
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University earned the #15 position for value in sports management this year. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. Students from in state pay about $30,592 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $27,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 18 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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