2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #2. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Moorpark College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. 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. Exercise Science graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #4 place for exercise science. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oxnard College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Oxnard College is a large public school located in the city of Oxnard. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,393.
Cerritos College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. 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.
College Of San Mateo ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Fresno City College came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $7,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $7,234 median debt.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Canyons came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College landed the #11 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College came in at #13 for value in exercise science this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,643 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,643 median debt.
Saddleback College placed #15 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Ventura College landed the #16 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,250. Exercise Science graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
Shasta College earned the #17 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $12,275. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College placed #18 among the best values for exercise science. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Imperial Valley College earned the #19 position for value in exercise science this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $6,176. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #20 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,865 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $19,869. That is a strong return on a $6,865 median debt.
Norco College landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $8,203. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
Santiago Canyon College placed #23 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hartnell College placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Hartnell College is a large public school located in the city of Salinas. In-state tuition and fees average $1,404, with out-of-state students paying around $10,398. Students borrow a median of $6,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Hartnell College generally make around $35,080. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Gavilan College earned the #25 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the rural area of Gilroy, Gavilan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,508, compared with $12,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $5,939. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Gavilan College generally make around $28,496. That is a strong return on a $5,939 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 165 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
[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.
