DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 11
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 31.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Exercise & Sports Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Exercise & Sports Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Sport Management" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Sport Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA in Sport Management" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MBA in Sport Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Sport Management" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MS in Sport Management" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Exercise Science (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Exercise Science (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Business Administration - Sport Management" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "BS in Business Administration - Sport Management" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Esports Business (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Esports Business (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - Sport Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MBA - Sport Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Sports Analytics & Management (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Sports Analytics & Management (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Sports Management & Analyics (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Sports Management & Analyics (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Sports Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Sports Management (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 4
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8
2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Arizona State University tops our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools in the United States. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,170 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $32,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,593. Sports Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $25,858 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes Ball State University one of the best values for sports studies. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $25,962. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $35,500. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Adams State College one of the best values for sports studies. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,451 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $30,045. Set against $21,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Young Harris College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,305. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,689. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,195 ten years after entry. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
ADBLOCK #101
East Carolina University landed the #6 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $29,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #7 among the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,808 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University earned the #8 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. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $47,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Students borrow a median of $24,420 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $32,860. That is a strong return on a $24,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #10 position for value in sports studies this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $45,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.