2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Ohio
[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 36 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Ohio
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
Columbus State Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in Ohio. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the exercise science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,393. Exercise Science graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $30,661 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,393 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Cincinnati Clermont College one of the best values for exercise science. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, while out-of-state students pay about $13,871. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,221. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,137. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Ursuline College came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,990. Students borrow a median of $35,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $80,267. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Central State University earned the #7 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,058, compared with $10,058 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $31,318 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Central State University earn a median of $27,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,318 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Cleveland State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,336. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $38,787. That is a strong return on a $26,336 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Shawnee State University placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,448, while out-of-state students pay about $16,032. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $31,000. Exercise Science graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College earn a median of $42,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Wittenberg University landed the #11 spot for exercise science value this year. Wittenberg University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,940. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,093. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,640. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #13 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Exercise Science graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $36,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio Dominican University earned the #14 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,720. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Ohio Dominican University earn a median of $40,467 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Walsh University placed #15 among the best values for exercise science. Walsh University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Canton. Students from in state pay about $33,030 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,805. Exercise Science graduates of Walsh University earn a median of $53,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,805 median debt. Walsh University admits about 71% of applicants.
Heidelberg University earned the #16 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Tiffin, Heidelberg University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $33,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Heidelberg University generally make around $42,334. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Wesleyan University landed the #17 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Delaware, Ohio Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,248. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ohio Wesleyan University generally make around $28,294. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio Wesleyan University admits about 56% of applicants.
Marietta College placed #18 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,652. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $79,641. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.
Hiram College landed the #19 spot for exercise science value this year. Hiram College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hiram. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,397. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,144 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Hiram College generally make around $48,572. That is a strong return on a $27,144 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Malone University placed #20 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Canton, Malone University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,160 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 Malone University generally make around $31,005. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University placed #21 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,193 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,602 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mount Vernon Nazarene University generally make around $53,377. Set against $26,602 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Lourdes College came in at #22 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Sylvania, Lourdes College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,370. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $29,668 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $75,250. Set against $29,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University came in at #23 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Columbus, Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,234. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Capital University earn a median of $28,183 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Mount Union placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Mount Union is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Alliance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,600. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Mount Union generally make around $33,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,024 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $31,919. Set against $25,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
More Exercise Science Rankings
View All Exercise Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
