2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 95 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 The Plains States 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
Des Moines Area Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $43,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $53,079 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Missouri Southern State University one of the best values for sports management. Missouri Southern State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,947. Sports Management graduates of Missouri Southern State University earn a median of $34,465 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,947 median debt. Missouri Southern State University admits about 97% of applicants.
Minot State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Minot State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Minot. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Minot State University generally make around $50,645. That is a strong return on a $25,788 median debt. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #5 place for sports management. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,000. Sports Management graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $34,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #6 for value in sports management this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $46,054. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Barton County Community College came in at #7 for value in sports management this year. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,680 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $14,792. Early-career sports management graduates make about $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Western State University placed #8 among the best values for sports management. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Students borrow a median of $24,815 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Set against $24,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,646 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #10 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,050. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #11 among the best values for sports management. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,572. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $34,638. That is a strong return on a $22,572 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #12 among the best values for sports management. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $33,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Dickinson State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,118. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,266. Sports Management graduates of Dickinson State University earn a median of $51,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Central Christian College Of Kansas earned the #14 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,295. Sports Management graduates of Central Christian College Of Kansas earn a median of $49,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Sports Management graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State College earned the #16 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,043 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $35,343 early in their careers. Set against $25,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #17 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $34,385. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Kearney admits about 90% of applicants.
Winona State University placed #18 among the best values for sports management. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,550 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $41,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #19 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $22,876 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $29,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Bemidji State University placed #20 among the best values for sports management. Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,898 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $32,388. Set against $24,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #21 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,818. Sports Management graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Black Hills State University placed #22 among the best values for sports management. Black Hills State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Spearfish. Students from in state pay about $8,916 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Black Hills State University earn a median of $34,142 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #23 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $24,420 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,512. That is a strong return on a $24,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Northern State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Northern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Aberdeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, compared with $11,947 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $40,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $64,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
