by our College Data Analytics Team
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 711 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study exercise science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Exercise Science 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 Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Moorpark College tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citrus College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,204 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,636. Median earnings reach $42,065 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Shasta College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, with out-of-state students paying around $8,853. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $50,584. That is a strong return on a $13,629 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $28,687. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
College Of San Mateo landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the exercise science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #7 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $10,861. Exercise Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $29,538 early in their careers. Set against $10,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Skyline College earned the #8 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
California State University Fresno earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,314. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,314 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $5,500. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,692. Exercise Science graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Middlesex County College came in at #14 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $9,514. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
Santa Ana College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College came in at #16 for value in exercise science this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Cypress College landed the #17 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,533 ten years out.
College Of The Canyons came in at #18 for value in exercise science this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $9,776. Exercise Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $17,085 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $25,414. Set against $17,085 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Cerritos College landed the #20 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Oxnard College landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
California State University Sacramento earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $18,129 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. That is a strong return on a $18,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
West Valley College earned the #23 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Antelope Valley College came in at #24 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Lancaster, Antelope Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,124, while out-of-state students pay about $9,548. Students borrow a median of $10,729 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Antelope Valley College generally make around $50,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias landed the #25 spot for exercise science value this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
The following schools rounded out the strongest exercise science values:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #101 | Cosumnes River College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #102 | American River College | Sacramento, CA | Full Report |
| #103 | The University Of Texas At El Paso | El Paso, TX | Full Report |
| #104 | Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN | Full Report |
| #105 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | Full Report |
| #106 | Texas Womans University | Denton, TX | Full Report |
| #107 | Laramie County Community College | Cheyenne, WY | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in exercise science:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #133 | Lehigh Carbon Community College | Schnecksville, PA | Full Report |
| #134 | East Los Angeles College | Monterey Park, CA | Full Report |
| #135 | Crafton Hills College | Yucaipa, CA | Full Report |
| #136 | Arkansas State University Main Campus | Jonesboro, AR | Full Report |
| #137 | Morehead State University | Morehead, KY | Full Report |
| #138 | Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo, CA | Full Report |
| #139 | University Of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN | Full Report |
| #140 | West Los Angeles College | Culver City, CA | Full Report |
| #141 | Delaware Technical Community College Terry | Dover, DE | Full Report |
| #142 | University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign | Champaign, IL | Full Report |
| #143 | University Of Wisconsin Parkside | Kenosha, WI | Full Report |
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Exercise Science. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled 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 · 711 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 711 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.