2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in North Carolina
[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 2 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 North Carolina
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 East Carolina University, our #1 best value for sports studies in North Carolina. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Methodist University one of the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,250. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $30,124. Sports Studies graduates of Methodist University earn a median of $28,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,124 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
