by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sports management schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in sports management, no school beat Minot State University this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,702. Students borrow a median of $25,788 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $50,645. Set against $25,788 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dickinson State University earned it the #2 place for sports management. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,266. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes North Dakota State University Main Campus one of the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $36,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Mary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at University Of North Dakota, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $64,378. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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Jamestown College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $24,990. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $59,681. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
