2026 Best Value Sports Studies Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

Leading the list is University Of Kentucky, our #1 best value for sports studies in the United States. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.

2

Adams State College
Alamosa, CO

A rank of #2 makes Adams State College one of the best values for sports studies. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,824, 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.

3

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

Students looking for strong value in sports studies will find it at East Carolina University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $47,178. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

4

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $38,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cumberland University
Lebanon, TN

A rank of #5 makes Cumberland University one of the best values for sports studies. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. Students from in state pay about $27,840 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $21,902. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $47,696. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #6 position for value in sports studies this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, 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. That is a strong return on a $26,808 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

Concordia University Saint Paul
Saint Paul, MN

Concordia University Saint Paul came in at #7 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $29,156 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $44,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.

8

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, with out-of-state students paying around $26,979. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the sports studies program here. 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. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.

9

Minnesota State University Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #9 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,420 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $52,164 early in their careers. Set against $24,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.

10

University Of Mary
Bismarck, ND

University Of Mary came in at #10 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. 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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.

11

Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA

Randolph College landed the #11 spot for sports studies value this year. Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,310. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $23,750. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $43,197. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

Suny College At Cortland
Cortland, NY

Suny College At Cortland ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,874 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,681 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $47,093. That is a strong return on a $25,681 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

13

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University earned the #13 position for value in sports studies this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

14

Vermont Technical College
Randolph, VT

Vermont Technical College placed #14 among the best values for sports studies. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,208. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $37,493. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.

15

University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $23,813. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $42,017. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

16

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University placed #16 among the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. 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%.

17

Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $25,641. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $35,361. Set against $25,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

18

Tiffin University
Tiffin, OH

Tiffin University earned the #18 position for value in sports studies this year. Located in the town of Tiffin, Tiffin University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,790. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Tiffin University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

19

Manhattanville College
Purchase, NY

Manhattanville College landed the #19 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,604 in tuition and fees. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $50,801. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

20

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University landed the #20 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,000. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $45,198. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

21

Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College came in at #21 for value in sports studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,974. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $44,612. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

22

United States Sports Academy
Daphne, AL

United States Sports Academy earned the #22 position for value in sports studies this year. United States Sports Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daphne. In-state tuition and fees average $20,700. Sports Studies graduates of United States Sports Academy earn a median of $54,034 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 61%.

23

National University
San Diego, CA

National University came in at #23 for value in sports studies this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from National University generally make around $44,319. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies
Springfield, MA

Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies came in at #24 for value in sports studies this year. Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $19,887 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,458 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies generally make around $46,044. That is a strong return on a $28,458 median debt.

25

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #25 among the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,678. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.