2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Illinois
[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.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Triton College the best value for a degree in exercise science in Illinois. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Xavier University one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,735 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Saint Xavier University earn a median of $51,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $53,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,874. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Illinois University earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,776. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #6 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,425 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,187. Set against $21,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $34,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northern Illinois University placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,383, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of $49,254 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Western Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $33,473. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Lewis University placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Students borrow a median of $23,237 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,811. That is a strong return on a $23,237 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Eureka College earned the #13 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Eureka, Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,636. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,619 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Eureka College earn a median of $40,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,619 median debt. Eureka College admits about 85% of applicants.
Concordia University Chicago ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,166 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $40,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,166 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Monmouth College landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Monmouth College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Monmouth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,922. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,757 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Monmouth College earn a median of $29,027 early in their careers. Set against $25,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Judson University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Elgin, Judson University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,297. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,685. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $47,550. That is a strong return on a $27,685 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Aurora University came in at #17 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $37,256. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University came in at #18 for value in exercise science this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,250. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,059. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity Christian College earned the #19 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,605. Students borrow a median of $28,722 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. Set against $28,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Greenville College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Greenville, Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,200. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,445. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Greenville College generally make around $36,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
North Central College placed #21 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $34,609. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Olivet Nazarene University earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,900. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $28,990. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Millikin University landed the #23 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,792. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $26,065. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Benedictine University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $44,714. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Benedictine University admits about 95% of applicants.
Rockford College placed #25 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Rockford, Rockford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,780. Students borrow a median of $28,094 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Rockford College earn a median of $56,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
More Exercise Science Rankings
View All Exercise Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
