2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Kansas
[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 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sports management schools.
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2026 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Kansas
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
Barton County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among sports management schools in Kansas. Set in the rural area of Great Bend, Barton County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,680, with out-of-state students paying around $4,960. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,792 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,774. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for sports management. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,125. Sports Management graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,891 early in their careers. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Central Christian College Of Kansas one of the best values for sports management. Set in the town of McPherson, Central Christian College Of Kansas is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $25,295 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Christian College Of Kansas admits about 53% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Tabor College, which ranked #5. Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $36,200. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,058 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Baker University landed the #6 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,200. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $29,554 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $62,916. Set against $29,554 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Baker University admits about 94% of applicants.
Sterling College Kansas came in at #7 for value in sports management this year. Located in the rural area of Sterling, Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,700. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,250. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Sterling College Kansas generally make around $30,086. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Sterling College Kansas admits about 48% of applicants.
University Of Saint Mary landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,380. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,946 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of Saint Mary earn a median of $29,151 early in their careers. Set against $27,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Saint Mary admits about 87% of applicants.
Kansas Wesleyan University came in at #9 for value in sports management this year. Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Salina. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,630. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,076. Sports Management graduates of Kansas Wesleyan University earn a median of $42,094 early in their careers. Set against $26,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Mcpherson College placed #10 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of McPherson, Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,146. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,278. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Friends University came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $34,192. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,500. Sports Management graduates of Friends University earn a median of $24,870 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Southwestern College earned the #12 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,822 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $31,875. Early-career sports management graduates make about $58,036. That is a strong return on a $31,875 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Ottawa University Ottawa ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ottawa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,880. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $30,426. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Bethany College Kansas landed the #14 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the rural area of Lindsborg, Bethany College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,000. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Bethany College Kansas generally make around $28,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Midamerica Nazarene University landed the #15 spot for sports management value this year. Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Olathe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,174. Students borrow a median of $25,740 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $63,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
