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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Sports Studies Master’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
275 Sports Studies Degrees Awarded
$44,624 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sports Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best sports studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Sports Studies in the United States

See the highest-ranked sports studies schools offering a master’s degree below.

Top Schools in Sports Studies

1

Tulane University Of Louisiana is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sports studies. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. About 86% of students finish within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 21 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Tulane University Of Louisiana generally make around $54,082. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. See the full sports studies program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

2
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 10 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $42,017 in their early career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Get the full sports studies details for University Of Iowa

3

A rank of #3 makes Adler School Of Professional Psychology one of the top schools for sports studies. Adler School Of Professional Psychology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 13 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Adler School Of Professional Psychology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Adler School Of Professional Psychology generally make around $55,542. Read more about the sports studies program at Adler School Of Professional Psychology

4

Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $52,164 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,420 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports studies program at Minnesota State University Mankato

5

A rank of #5 makes East Carolina University one of the top schools for sports studies. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from East Carolina University earn around $47,178 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full sports studies program report for East Carolina University

6

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #6 for sports studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. About 24 sports studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $37,703 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete this degree. Get the full sports studies details for University Of Massachusetts Boston

7

Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies came in at #7 for sports studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 19 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies 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. Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies graduates carry a median of $28,458 in student loans. Get the full sports studies details for Springfield College School Of Professional And Continuing Studies

8
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 15 sports studies degrees were awarded at Springfield College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $44,612. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports studies from Springfield College

9

Adams State College placed #9 among the best sports studies schools. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. The six-year graduation rate is 32%. There were roughly 17 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Adams State College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $30,045. Students borrow a median of $21,451 to complete this degree. See the full sports studies program report for Adams State College

10

Manhattanville College earned the #10 position for sports studies this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Manhattanville College graduates 58% of students within six years. About 34 sports studies degrees were awarded at Manhattanville College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from Manhattanville College earn around $50,801 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the sports studies program at Manhattanville College

11
Randolph College crest
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA

Randolph College landed the #11 spot for sports studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Randolph College graduates 46% of students within six years. Randolph College awarded about 16 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Studies graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750. See the full sports studies program report for Randolph College

12
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best sports studies schools. Set in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 37 sports studies degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $44,319 in their early career. National University graduates carry a median of $30,426 in student loans. Get the full sports studies details for National University

13

Texas Southern University landed the #13 spot for sports studies this year. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 22% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Texas Southern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $32,409 in their early career. Texas Southern University graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. See the full sports studies program report for Texas Southern University

Other Sports Studies Degree Levels

Explore the best sports studies schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Sports Studies
Associate's Degrees in Sports Studies
Bachelor's Degrees in Sports Studies
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View All Sports Studies Rankings >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 63 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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