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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Sports Management Schools in the Southwest Region

35 Colleges in the United States
1,665 Sports Management Degrees Awarded
$40,343 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sports Management is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their sports management programs.

College Factual analyzed 62 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best sports management schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Sports Management in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sports management education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Sports Management

1

No school ranked higher than Texas A And M University College Station this year for sports management. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 255 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $42,358. 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

2
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Rice University awarded about 24 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $51,110. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. Get the full sports management details for Rice University

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top schools for sports management. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 78 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $35,583 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for The University Of Texas At Austin

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Arizona one of the top schools for sports management. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 42 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Arizona earn around $50,834 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,861. Read more about the sports management program at University Of Arizona

5

Southern Methodist University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Dallas. 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. More information about a degree in sports management from Southern Methodist University

6

Arizona State University came in at #6 for sports management this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 17 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $41,428. Typical student debt for the program is $21,170. See the full sports management program report for Arizona State University

7
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University landed the #7 spot for sports management this year. Set in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Tarleton State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Tarleton State University earn around $36,117 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Tarleton State University

8

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Texas State University San Marcos graduates 55% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $36,866 early in their careers. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Texas State University San Marcos

9

Texas Tech University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 128 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $38,090 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,490. See the full sports management program report for Texas Tech University

10

Southwestern Oklahoma State University earned the #10 position for sports management this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Weatherford. Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduates 41% of students within six years. Southwestern Oklahoma State University awarded about 18 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,280. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for Southwestern Oklahoma State University

11

University Of Houston ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 70 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $35,968. Typical student debt for the program is $22,298. See the full sports management program report for University Of Houston

12

Baylor University landed the #12 spot for sports management this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Baylor University generally make around $38,803. Students borrow a median of $26,997 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for Baylor University

13

Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #13 for sports management this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates 43% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Commerce in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $45,653 in their early career. Texas A And M University Commerce graduates carry a median of $23,007 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Texas A And M University Commerce

14

Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 32% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southeastern Oklahoma State University awarded about 178 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $53,961. Typical student debt for the program is $18,660. More information about a degree in sports management from Southeastern Oklahoma State University

15

East Texas Baptist University earned the #15 position for sports management this year. East Texas Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. East Texas Baptist University awarded about 14 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from East Texas Baptist University generally make around $44,734. Students borrow a median of $23,625 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for East Texas Baptist University

16

Sam Houston State University earned the #16 position for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Huntsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 14 sports management degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $37,005 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for Sam Houston State University

17
Angelo State University crest
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University earned the #17 position for sports management this year. This large public university is located in the city of San Angelo. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 sports management degrees were awarded at Angelo State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Angelo State University earn around $40,472 in the first couple years of their career. Angelo State University graduates carry a median of $21,093 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Angelo State University

18
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College earned the #18 position for sports management this year. This large public university is located in the city of Baytown. There were roughly 23 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Lee College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Typical student debt for the program is $10,941. Read more about the sports management program at Lee College

19

Oklahoma Baptist University landed the #19 spot for sports management this year. Oklahoma Baptist University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Shawnee. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma Baptist University in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Oklahoma Baptist University earn a median of $47,100 early in their careers. Oklahoma Baptist University graduates carry a median of $23,425 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Oklahoma Baptist University

20

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #20 position for sports management this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $29,632 in their early career. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

21

Grand Canyon University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 128 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Grand Canyon University earn around $34,723 in the first couple years of their career. Grand Canyon University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Grand Canyon University

22

Houston Baptist University earned the #22 position for sports management this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Houston Baptist University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 15 sports management degrees were awarded at Houston Baptist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Houston Baptist University generally make around $34,720. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Houston Baptist University

23

Southern Nazarene University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Bethany, Southern Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 sports management degrees were awarded at Southern Nazarene University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southern Nazarene University generally make around $52,611. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full sports management program report for Southern Nazarene University

24
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University earned the #24 position for sports management this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lamar University awarded about 30 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $31,935 early in their careers. Lamar University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from Lamar University

25

Oral Roberts University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Tulsa. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 41 sports management degrees were awarded at Oral Roberts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Oral Roberts University earn around $32,150 in the first couple years of their career. Oral Roberts University graduates carry a median of $25,965 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Oral Roberts University

Rest of the Top 35 Sports Management Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sports management ranking:

26
27
28
29
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
30
31
32
33
34
35

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 62 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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