by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 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 Erie Community College this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Broome Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $16,830 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $41,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,830 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Suny College At Cortland one of the best values for sports studies. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Sports Studies graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $37,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Thomas Aquinas College earned it the #4 place for sports studies. Located in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,450. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Saint Thomas Aquinas College generally make around $44,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Thomas Aquinas College admits about 93% of applicants.
Manhattanville College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,604. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $38,197. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
1
2
3
4
5
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.