by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise physiology students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise physiology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Rice University tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise physiology schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. 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. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise physiology, landing the #2 spot this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise physiology, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise physiology will find it at The University Of Texas At Arlington, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $55,304. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Midwestern State University earned it the #5 place for exercise physiology. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $22,244 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $27,539. Set against $22,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #6 among the best values for exercise physiology. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $21,842. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #7 for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Students borrow a median of $25,508 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $47,130. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #8 among the best values for exercise physiology. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $23,138. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $23,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Houston Clear Lake earned the #9 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the exercise physiology program here. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Tech University came in at #10 for value in exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans. Exercise Physiology graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Dallas Baptist University placed #11 among the best values for exercise physiology. Located in the city of Dallas, Dallas Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Typical student debt for exercise physiology graduates is $22,819. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Dallas Baptist University generally make around $48,822. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants.
Southern Methodist University earned the #12 position for value in exercise physiology this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,040. Exercise Physiology graduates carry a median of $20,712 in student loans. Early-career exercise physiology graduates make about $70,632. Set against $20,712 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.