by our College Data Analytics Team
[Exercise Physiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/exercise-physiology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 121 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise physiology students.
What’s on this page:
The exercise physiology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise physiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Rice University tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise physiology schools in the United States. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $11,904. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
University Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $16,888 in student loans. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $34,242. That is a strong return on a $16,888 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland University earned it the #3 place for exercise physiology. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise physiology will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $19,001 in student loans. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $23,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise physiology will find it at Texas A And M University Central Texas, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for exercise physiology value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #8 for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $21,632. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #9 for value in exercise physiology this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $14,598 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #11 for value in exercise physiology this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $16,539. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #12 for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $26,703. Exercise Physiology graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #13 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $13,593 in student loans. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $25,831. That is a strong return on a $13,593 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Wichita State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $20,500. Exercise Physiology graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $32,196 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Arizona State University landed the #15 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $21,842. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $55,876. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University placed #16 among the best values for exercise physiology. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #17 spot for exercise physiology value this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $58,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University landed the #18 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $24,518. Exercise Physiology graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $47,863 early in their careers. Set against $24,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University placed #19 among the best values for exercise physiology. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,041 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $25,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Midwestern State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Students borrow a median of $22,244 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $27,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fitchburg State University earned the #21 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $25,840. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Utah landed the #22 spot for exercise physiology value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $60,527. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #23 for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Texas A And M University Corpus Christi generally make around $47,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #24 position for value in exercise physiology this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $24,673. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #25 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $25,101. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise physiology:
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Exercise Physiology. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 121 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.