2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Indiana
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Indiana
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
Leading the list is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, our #1 best value for exercise science in Indiana. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $33,756. Set against $24,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Ivy Tech Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $11,889 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $40,734. That is a strong return on a $11,889 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at University Of Southern Indiana, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana State University earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,582. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,640. That is a strong return on a $19,657 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $36,829. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Goshen College came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Goshen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Goshen College earn a median of $71,791 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Evansville earned the #8 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,172. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,031 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,809. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Valparaiso University landed the #9 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Valparaiso University earn a median of $51,987 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Manchester College landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Manchester College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of North Manchester. Students from in state pay about $37,135 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Manchester College generally make around $29,936. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Bethel College Mishawaka came in at #11 for value in exercise science this year. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $26,799. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Marian University Ancilla placed #12 among the best values for exercise science. Marian University Ancilla is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Plymouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,100. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $32,222. Exercise Science graduates of Marian University Ancilla earn a median of $55,044 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,222 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Huntington University landed the #13 spot for exercise science value this year. Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $31,870 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,332 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $49,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
Grace College And Theological Seminary placed #14 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Winona Lake, Grace College And Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,645. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,250. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Indianapolis came in at #15 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,786. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,461. That is a strong return on a $26,786 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Hanover College placed #16 among the best values for exercise science. Hanover College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. In-state tuition and fees average $42,698. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,085. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Franklin College came in at #17 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Franklin College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,710. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,181. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Franklin College admits about 70% of applicants.
Marian University Indiana earned the #18 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Marian University Indiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,664. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Marian University Indiana generally make around $33,564. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marian University Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Anderson University Indiana placed #19 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Indiana is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,240. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,581. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Anderson University Indiana generally make around $36,742. Set against $26,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Trine University came in at #20 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Angola, Trine University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,560 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Trine University earn a median of $25,812 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Mary Of The Woods College placed #21 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the rural area of Saint Mary of the Woods, Saint Mary Of The Woods College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,240. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,366 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Mary Of The Woods College generally make around $48,088. Set against $28,366 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
