2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools in California
[Exercise Physiology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/exercise-physiology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise physiology students.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise physiology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Physiology Schools
University Of California Irvine earned the #1 spot for value among exercise physiology schools in California. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #2 place for exercise physiology. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,598 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $37,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California Baptist University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $31,146 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at International Sports Sciences Association earned it the #4 place for exercise physiology. Set in the suburb of Carpinteria, International Sports Sciences Association is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,265. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $12,917 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of International Sports Sciences Association earn a median of $46,831 early in their careers.
Students looking for strong value in exercise physiology will find it at University Of Southern California, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $15,625. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $75,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
