Sports Management programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their sports management programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 738 schools to find the best for sports management students.
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Choosing a Great Sports Management School
Where you study sports management matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Sports Management Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Sports Management Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked Northwestern University the best school in the country for a degree in sports management. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 50 sports management degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $58,537. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree.
See the full sports management program report for Northwestern University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. About 195 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $42,490 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports management program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Georgetown University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Georgetown University awarded about 139 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $54,668 early in their careers. Georgetown University graduates carry a median of $16,483 in student loans.
Read more about the sports management program at Georgetown University
Students looking for a strong sports management program will find one at George Washington University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 34 sports management degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from George Washington University earn around $73,749 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
More information about a degree in sports management from George Washington University
A rank of #5 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top schools for sports management. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. About 255 sports management degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $42,358 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,414 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports management program at Texas A And M University College Station
James Madison University earned the #6 position for sports management this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 188 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $40,528. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
Read more about the sports management program at James Madison University
University Of Florida landed the #7 spot for sports management this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 367 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $45,046. Typical student debt for the program is $19,982.
More information about a degree in sports management from University Of Florida
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #8 spot for sports management this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 117 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $36,050. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
Get the full sports management details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Rice University landed the #9 spot for sports management this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Rice University awarded about 24 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $51,110 in their early career. Rice University graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
Get the full sports management details for Rice University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #10 spot for sports management this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 115 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $33,717 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports management program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Kansas placed #11 among the best sports management schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 101 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Kansas earn around $33,891 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports management program at University Of Kansas
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #12 for sports management this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 64 sports management degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $63,418. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258.
More information about a degree in sports management from Columbia University In The City Of New York
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #13 position for sports management this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 78 sports management students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from The University Of Texas At Austin earn around $35,583 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,361.
Get the full sports management details for The University Of Texas At Austin
The University Of Alabama came in at #14 for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 33 sports management degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,740 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports management program at The University Of Alabama
University Of Arizona ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 42 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
See the full sports management program report for University Of Arizona
University Of Georgia placed #16 among the best sports management schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 146 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,359. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250.
Read more about the sports management program at University Of Georgia
Rowan University landed the #17 spot for sports management this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 13 sports management degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Rowan University graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans.
Read more about the sports management program at Rowan University
Saint Louis University Main Campus came in at #18 for sports management this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Saint Louis University Main Campus awarded about 14 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,316 in student loans.
Get the full sports management details for Saint Louis University Main Campus
Suny College At Oneonta earned the #19 position for sports management this year. Located in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny College At Oneonta awarded about 51 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,119 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sports management from Suny College At Oneonta
Providence College landed the #20 spot for sports management this year. Located in the city of Providence, Providence College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Providence College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Providence College generally make around $53,208. Providence College graduates carry a median of $26,833 in student loans.
See the full sports management program report for Providence College
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for sports management this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 149 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $42,137 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sports management from Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #22 among the best sports management schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 299 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $37,903 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Get the full sports management details for University Of South Carolina Columbia
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #23 for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 136 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,419 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,227.
See the full sports management program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Florida State University came in at #24 for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 272 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $34,630 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750.
Get the full sports management details for Florida State University
Southern Methodist University earned the #25 position for sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 142 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Southern Methodist University earn around $41,229 in the first couple years of their career. Southern Methodist University graduates carry a median of $20,475 in student loans.
Get the full sports management details for Southern Methodist University
Rest of the Top 50 Sports Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong sports management education:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 738 schools evaluated.
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).
