by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports studies students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in sports studies, no school beat Lake Erie College this year. Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Painesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,634. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $65,474. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lake Erie College admits about 70% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Tiffin University one of the best values for sports studies. Set in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,790. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Sports Studies graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #3 makes John Carroll University one of the best values for sports studies. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,500. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $25,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.