2026 Best Sports Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for sports management. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 50 sports management degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $58,537 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 195 sports management degrees in the most recent data 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Students looking for a strong sports management program will find one at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 149 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus 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. See the full sports management program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

4

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 40 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $29,866 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison

5

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

A rank of #5 makes Miami University Oxford one of the top schools for sports management. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 141 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $42,958 in the first couple years of their career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Miami University Oxford

6

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

Ohio University Main Campus placed #6 among the best sports management schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 113 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $45,420 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full sports management program report for Ohio University Main Campus

7

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 22 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Dayton earn around $38,011 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the sports management program at University Of Dayton

8

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #8 spot for sports management this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 12 sports management degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $50,808. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Illinois Wesleyan University

9

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 185 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn around $40,569 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,625. More information about a degree in sports management from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

10

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #10 spot for sports management this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern Indiana awarded about 27 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $40,508 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,375. More information about a degree in sports management from University Of Southern Indiana

11

Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University came in at #11 for sports management this year. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 71% of students finish within six years. Carroll University awarded about 12 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $33,333 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Carroll University

12

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 57 sports management degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,829 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Ball State University

13

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University came in at #13 for sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 60% of students finish within six years. Aurora University awarded about 29 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $37,256 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full sports management details for Aurora University

14

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #14 position for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 65 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,030 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full sports management program report for Kent State University At Kent

15

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #15 for sports management this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 78 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $31,919 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,024 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus

16

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Valley State University awarded about 59 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Grand Valley State University earn around $29,913 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,300. Read more about the sports management program at Grand Valley State University

17

Marietta College
Marietta, OH

Marietta College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Marietta College awarded about 15 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $79,641 in their early career. Marietta College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Marietta College

18

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #18 spot for sports management this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 sports management degrees were awarded at Lewis University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Lewis University generally make around $28,856. Lewis University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Lewis University

19

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Elmhurst College awarded about 12 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Elmhurst College earn around $31,538 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375. See the full sports management program report for Elmhurst College

20

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 61 sports management degrees were awarded at Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Xavier University generally make around $30,476. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Xavier University

21

Otterbein University
Westerville, OH

Otterbein University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Westerville. About 68% of students finish within six years. Otterbein University awarded about 14 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $31,851 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Otterbein University

22

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #22 for sports management this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 38 sports management degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,776. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for Eastern Illinois University

23

Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI

Siena Heights University placed #23 among the best sports management schools. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. Siena Heights University awarded about 10 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. Typical student debt for the program is $25,790. See the full sports management program report for Siena Heights University

24

Indiana Wesleyan University
Marion, IN

Indiana Wesleyan University placed #24 among the best sports management schools. Located in the town of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 sports management degrees were awarded at Indiana Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University generally make around $36,739. Students borrow a median of $31,454 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for Indiana Wesleyan University

25

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,910 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full sports management details for Central Michigan University