2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sports studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Erie Community College the best value for a degree in sports studies in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Cortland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,681 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $37,691. Set against $25,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Broome Community College earned it the #3 place for sports studies. Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Binghamton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,830 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $41,560 early in their careers. Set against $16,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Saint Thomas Aquinas College one of the best values for sports studies. Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sparkill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,450. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $44,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Thomas Aquinas College admits about 93% of applicants.
Rowan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Manhattanville College placed #6 among the best values for sports studies. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $38,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Temple University came in at #7 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $37,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Immaculata University came in at #8 for value in sports studies this year. Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Immaculata. Students from in state pay about $28,980 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Sports Studies graduates of Immaculata University earn a median of $64,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #9 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $24,916. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Narrow Sports Studies Schools by State
More Sports Studies Rankings
View All Sports Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 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.
