2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for sports studies students.
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2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Ball State University earned the #1 spot for value among sports studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $36,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Western Michigan University one of the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #3 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. Students from in state pay about $34,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $26,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Lake Erie College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Painesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,634. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $65,474. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. Lake Erie College admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Tiffin University one of the best values for sports studies. Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,790. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $36,557. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Tiffin University admits about 80% of applicants.
John Carroll University landed the #6 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $27,971. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Denison University earned the #7 position for value in sports studies this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,000. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Denison University earn a median of $39,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
