Sports Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their sports studies programs.
College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best sports studies schools.
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Choosing a Great Sports Studies School
Where you study sports studies matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Sports Studies Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Sports Studies School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Sports Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Rowan University tops our 2026 ranking of the best sports studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Glassboro. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 13 sports studies degrees were awarded at Rowan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports studies program at Rowan University
University Of Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 10 sports studies degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $32,737 early in their careers. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans.
See the full sports studies program report for University Of Iowa
Tulane University Of Louisiana is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports studies, ranking #3. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Sports Studies graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sports studies from Tulane University Of Louisiana
Denison University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 sports studies degrees were awarded at Denison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $39,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete this degree.
Get the full sports studies details for Denison University
Minnesota State University Mankato is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports studies, ranking #5. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 14 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $42,512 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,420 to complete this degree.
See the full sports studies program report for Minnesota State University Mankato
Cumberland University earned the #6 position for sports studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lebanon. About 42% of students finish within six years. About 13 sports studies degrees were awarded at Cumberland University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $47,696 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete this degree.
Get the full sports studies details for Cumberland University
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #7 for sports studies this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 24 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $37,703 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $26,808 in student loans.
More information about a degree in sports studies from University Of Massachusetts Boston
Springfield College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. Springfield College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Springfield College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $39,402. Springfield College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full sports studies details for Springfield College
Adler School Of Professional Psychology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Adler School Of Professional Psychology awarded about 13 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Adler School Of Professional Psychology generally make around $55,542.
More information about a degree in sports studies from Adler School Of Professional Psychology
Shenandoah University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. About 66% of students finish within six years. Shenandoah University awarded about 13 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $37,676 in their early career. Shenandoah University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Get the full sports studies details for Shenandoah University
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #11 position for sports studies this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 24 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $24,916 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full sports studies program report for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
East Carolina University came in at #12 for sports studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 43 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $38,488 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full sports studies program report for East Carolina University
Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies earned the #13 position for sports studies this year. Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies awarded about 19 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies earn around $46,044 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $28,458 to complete this degree.
See the full sports studies program report for Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies
Manhattanville College placed #14 among the best sports studies schools. Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Purchase. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 34 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Manhattanville College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from Manhattanville College earn around $38,197 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
More information about a degree in sports studies from Manhattanville College
Adams State College came in at #15 for sports studies this year. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Adams State College graduates 32% of students within six years. Adams State College awarded about 17 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $30,045. Typical student debt for the program is $21,451.
More information about a degree in sports studies from Adams State College
Western Kentucky University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 50 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $25,858 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,593 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports studies program at Western Kentucky University
John Carroll University landed the #17 spot for sports studies this year. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 30 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at John Carroll University in the most recent data year. Sports Studies graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of $27,971 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports studies program at John Carroll University
Randolph College landed the #18 spot for sports studies this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Randolph College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from Randolph College earn around $43,197 in the first couple years of their career. Randolph College graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans.
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Erie Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. About 15 sports studies degrees were awarded at Erie Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from Erie Community College earn around $37,069 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete this degree.
Get the full sports studies details for Erie Community College
National University landed the #20 spot for sports studies this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 53 sports studies degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from National University generally make around $44,319. Students borrow a median of $30,426 to complete this degree.
See the full sports studies program report for National University
Young Harris College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Young Harris. About 42% of students finish within six years. Young Harris College awarded about 10 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $24,689.
More information about a degree in sports studies from Young Harris College
Broome Community College came in at #22 for sports studies this year. Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Binghamton. Broome Community College awarded about 10 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Studies graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $41,560 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,830.
Get the full sports studies details for Broome Community College
Texas Southern University landed the #23 spot for sports studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. About 12 sports studies degrees were awarded at Texas Southern University in the most recent year. Sports Studies graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $32,409 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports studies program at Texas Southern University
Sports Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 63 schools evaluated.
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).
