2027 Best Value Exercise Science Master’s Degree Schools
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 196 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
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2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
For return on investment in exercise science, no school beat California State University Fresno this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,314. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $26,931 early in their careers. Set against $14,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $49,357 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,551 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $50,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $16,575. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $47,637. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $46,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,188 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,829. Exercise Science graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $34,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $28,874 early in their careers. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Durant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,660. Exercise Science graduates of Southeastern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $53,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $59,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Students borrow a median of $14,352 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
California State University San Marcos ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,082, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,257. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from California State University San Marcos generally make around $48,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Marcos admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #13 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,135. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $41,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,123. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #15 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,167. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $55,110. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #16 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,049 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $23,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #17 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $49,716. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #19 position for value in exercise science this year. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,007. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $55,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #21 for value in exercise science this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,426. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #22 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Students borrow a median of $25,349 to complete the exercise science program here. 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.
Indiana State University came in at #23 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $44,189 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,006, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,426. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,034. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $22,239. That is a strong return on a $23,034 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
Other Exercise Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value exercise science schools at other degree levels:
View All Exercise Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 196 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 196 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.
