2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Southwest Region
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 62 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 Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #1 spot for value among sports management schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,961 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Lee College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $10,941. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Tulsa Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Students borrow a median of $15,789 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $41,718. That is a strong return on a $15,789 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rice University earned it the #5 place for sports management. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $10,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,110. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #6 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, with out-of-state students paying around $22,326. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,007 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $45,653. Set against $23,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
East Central University came in at #7 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,200 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of East Central University earn a median of $29,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,200 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $27,957 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $41,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Sul Ross State University came in at #10 for value in sports management this year. Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alpine. In-state tuition and fees average $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,670 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Sul Ross State University earn a median of $49,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,670 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University earned the #11 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Sports Management graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $31,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northeastern State University earned the #12 position for value in sports management this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,810, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Students borrow a median of $19,041 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Set against $19,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Angelo State University landed the #13 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of San Angelo, Angelo State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $21,093 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Angelo State University earn a median of $40,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,093 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #14 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,861. Sports Management graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #15 spot for sports management value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,298. Sports Management graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $35,968 early in their careers. Set against $22,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Midwestern State University earned the #16 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $41,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University placed #17 among the best values for sports management. Located in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,469, while out-of-state students pay about $8,499. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $57,280. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,200 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $35,437. That is a strong return on a $22,200 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Jarvis Christian College landed the #19 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the rural area of Hawkins, Jarvis Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,720. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Jarvis Christian College generally make around $30,308. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Rogers State University earned the #20 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $31,167. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,361. Early-career sports management graduates make about $35,583. That is a strong return on a $22,361 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #22 for value in sports management this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $36,866. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #23 among the best values for sports management. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $29,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University earned the #24 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $37,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Southern Nazarene University came in at #25 for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,190. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southern Nazarene University generally make around $52,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sports management:
Narrow Sports Management Schools by State
More Sports Management Rankings
View All Sports Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 62 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
