2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports studies students.
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2026 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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 Concordia University Saint Paul, our #1 best value for sports studies in the The Plains States Region. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Students borrow a median of $29,156 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $39,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mary earned it the #2 place for sports studies. University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Bismarck. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $65,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Minnesota State University Mankato is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $42,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $32,737. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Ambrose University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Ambrose University admits about 77% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University earned the #6 position for value in sports studies this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,475. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $25,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $35,361. That is a strong return on a $25,641 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dubuque came in at #7 for value in sports studies this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,095 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,560. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $53,808 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Saint Mary earned the #8 position for value in sports studies this year. Located in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,380 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,946. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Saint Mary earn a median of $29,151 early in their careers. Set against $27,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Mcpherson College came in at #9 for value in sports studies this year. Set in the town of McPherson, Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,146. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $42,278. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mcpherson College admits about 77% of applicants.
Southwestern College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $31,875 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Southwestern College earn a median of $58,036 early in their careers. Set against $31,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants.
Ottawa University Ottawa ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the town of Ottawa, Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,880 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Ottawa University Ottawa generally make around $30,426. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
