[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 572 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in exercise science in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $13,629 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $25,101 early in their careers. Set against $13,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $28,687. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $10,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $29,538. That is a strong return on a $10,861 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. 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. Set against $14,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at California State University Stanislaus, which ranked #5. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $17,085. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $25,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,129 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,129 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Queens College placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $16,236. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,327. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,867. Set against $19,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Oakland University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,972. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $54,785. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $16,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $31,165. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,659 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $30,412 early in their careers. Set against $20,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,551. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $22,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #14 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,874. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Southern Utah University placed #16 among the best values for exercise science. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,352 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $30,092 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,352 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Marcos came in at #17 for value in exercise science this year. California State University San Marcos is a large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, with out-of-state students paying around $20,682. Students borrow a median of $18,257 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $48,726. Set against $18,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Xavier University came in at #18 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,945. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #19 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
American Public University System ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,312. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,381. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University earned the #21 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $20,682 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida landed the #22 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #24 spot for exercise science value this year. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,660. Exercise Science graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,961 early in their careers. Set against $18,660 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #25 position for value in exercise science this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $29,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
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 · 572 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 572 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).
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
