2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools
[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 63 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Sports Studies School for You
Where you study sports studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Sports Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Sports Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
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2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Arizona State University earned the #1 spot for value among sports studies schools in the United States. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $21,170. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $41,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Erie Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $12,580. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Western Kentucky University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,593 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $25,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,593 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,829 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
Broome Community College landed the #6 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $16,830 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $41,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adams State College landed the #7 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $21,451 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $30,045 early in their careers. Set against $21,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Young Harris College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Young Harris. In-state tuition and fees average $32,305. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the sports studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,195. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
East Carolina University earned the #9 position for value in sports studies this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $38,488. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,808. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,808 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Cumberland University earned the #11 position for value in sports studies this year. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,840. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $47,696. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Cumberland University admits about 67% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #12 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,420. Sports Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $42,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #13 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $45,705. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Concordia University Saint Paul ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $29,156 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $39,033. That is a strong return on a $29,156 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Mary came in at #15 for value in sports studies this year. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies 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. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Randolph College placed #16 among the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,310. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Randolph College generally make around $43,197. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Randolph College admits about 94% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #17 position for value in sports studies this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,000. Sports Studies graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Suny College At Cortland landed the #18 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $25,681. Sports Studies graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $37,691 early in their careers. Set against $25,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Vermont Technical College earned the #19 position for value in sports studies this year. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,208. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $37,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University earned the #20 position for value in sports studies this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,488. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $52,031. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa earned the #21 position for value in sports studies this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $32,737. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College came in at #22 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,450. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,700. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $44,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bethel College Mishawaka ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $26,799. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Texas Southern University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $32,409. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Post University placed #25 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,922. Students borrow a median of $31,250 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Post University generally make around $29,592. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sports studies:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
