2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sports studies schools.
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2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Leading the list is Western Kentucky University, our #1 best value for sports studies in the Southeast Region. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $25,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Young Harris College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,305. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,689. Median earnings reach $47,195 ten years out. Set against $24,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes East Carolina University one of the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $38,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,094. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cumberland University earned it the #5 place for sports studies. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $21,902 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $47,696 early in their careers. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Randolph College placed #6 among the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,310. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Barry University landed the #7 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,350. Students borrow a median of $31,180 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Barry University generally make around $64,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Methodist University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,250. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $30,124 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $28,270. That is a strong return on a $30,124 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Shenandoah University landed the #9 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $37,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #10 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tulane University Of Louisiana admits about 14% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
