2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 121 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
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2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Oakland University tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,972 median debt. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,135. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for exercise science. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Saint Xavier University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,735. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,753. Set against $25,735 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Triton College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,160. Exercise Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $33,756 early in their careers. Set against $24,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. 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. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State Community College earned the #8 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $9,041. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
Sinclair Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,348. Set against $12,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne State University placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,568. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $11,889. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,734. Set against $11,889 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Indiana landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,375. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,425. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,187. That is a strong return on a $21,425 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #14 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,776. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,306. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $45,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #16 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $25,349 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,655. That is a strong return on a $25,349 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #17 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $36,582. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,021. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #19 position for value in exercise science this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh came in at #20 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,590. Set against $24,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University earned the #21 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,091 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Set against $20,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,393. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $30,661. Set against $26,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #23 for value in exercise science this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #24 position for value in exercise science this year. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $49,254. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $44,640 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for exercise science this year:
Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 121 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 121 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.
