2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Wisconsin
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Wisconsin
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
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in Wisconsin. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,306. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. That is a strong return on a $25,306 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Parkside earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,270 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,429. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,349. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin River Falls one of the best values for exercise science. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. Students borrow a median of $24,245 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $24,619 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,619 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Carroll University, which ranked #5. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $33,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $34,066 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $37,437 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,375 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $32,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $29,866 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Ripon College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,900. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ripon College admits about 80% of applicants.
Marian University Wisconsin placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Fond Du Lac, Marian University Wisconsin is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,204. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Marian University Wisconsin generally make around $72,102. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Marian University Wisconsin admits about 75% of applicants.
Wisconsin Lutheran College came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Wisconsin Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $36,110. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $54,908. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lakeland College came in at #13 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Plymouth, Lakeland College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,396. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,225 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lakeland College generally make around $41,427. That is a strong return on a $24,225 median debt. Lakeland College admits about 86% of applicants.
Carthage College earned the #14 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Kenosha, Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,750. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $36,638. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
