2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Michigan
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Michigan
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
For return on investment in exercise science, no school beat Oakland University this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $42,490. Set against $19,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #3 place for exercise science. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $45,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saginaw Valley State University earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $30,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,021. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,091. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. That is a strong return on a $20,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Northern Michigan University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $22,113. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $35,152. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Albion College placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Albion College generally make around $30,314. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #9 spot for exercise science value this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,894 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $34,499. That is a strong return on a $26,894 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grand Valley State University earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,300. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Siena Heights University earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. In-state tuition and fees average $30,778. Students borrow a median of $25,790 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Aquinas College Michigan landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,218. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $27,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Aquinas College Michigan admits about 90% of applicants.
Central Michigan University landed the #13 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $36,910. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.
Madonna University landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. Students borrow a median of $26,896 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $56,984. Set against $26,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Madonna University admits about 63% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #15 among the best values for exercise science. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $37,279. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Cornerstone University earned the #16 position for value in exercise science this year. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Alma College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Alma, Alma College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Alma College generally make around $25,445. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Olivet. In-state tuition and fees average $34,068. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $29,578 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,879. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Olivet College admits about 83% of applicants.
Calvin College placed #19 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,833. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $26,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Adrian College placed #20 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Adrian, Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,684. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Hope College earned the #21 position for value in exercise science this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Hope College earn a median of $25,862 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Ann Arbor placed #22 among the best values for exercise science. Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $35,410. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Concordia University Ann Arbor earn a median of $27,522 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Concordia University Ann Arbor admits about 69% of applicants.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
