by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sports Communication](/majors/communication-journalism-media/public-relations-advertising/sports-communication/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports communication students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports communication degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Ferris State University the best value for a degree in sports communication in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Sports Communication graduates carry a median of $22,580 in student loans. Early-career sports communication graduates make about $38,375. That is a strong return on a $22,580 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sports communication schools. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $25,306 to complete the sports communication program here. Soon after graduation, sports communication degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in sports communication will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the sports communication program here. Early-career sports communication graduates make about $56,930. Set against $23,146 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #4 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the best values for sports communication. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete the sports communication program here. Early-career sports communication graduates make about $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports communication, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the sports communication program here. Sports Communication graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned the #6 position for value in sports communication this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports communication graduates is $24,000. Sports Communication graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $46,039 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Albion College earned the #7 position for value in sports communication this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Typical student debt for sports communication graduates is $26,254. Soon after graduation, sports communication degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $40,829. Set against $26,254 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Bradley University placed #8 among the best values for sports communication. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Students borrow a median of $26,819 to complete the sports communication program here. Sports Communication graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $38,351 early in their careers. Set against $26,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Franklin College placed #9 among the best values for sports communication. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,710. Sports Communication graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports communication degree recipients from Franklin College generally make around $36,964. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford earned the #10 position for value in sports communication this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Sports Communication graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports communication degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $50,700. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois Media School landed the #11 spot for sports communication value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Media School is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $15,833 to complete the sports communication program here. Early-career sports communication graduates make about $21,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Depaul University landed the #12 spot for sports communication value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Sports Communication graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career sports communication graduates make about $49,559. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Butler University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value sports communication schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,560. Typical student debt for sports communication graduates is $26,176. Sports Communication graduates of Butler University earn a median of $39,701 early in their careers. Set against $26,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Butler University admits about 85% of applicants.
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.