2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Maryland

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Maryland
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 Hagerstown Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $15,126. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $8,832. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $12,624 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,636. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Princess Anne, University Of Maryland Eastern Shore is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,076 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,122 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of $30,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Frostburg State University earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,875. Exercise Science graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $23,291 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,138. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $31,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Salisbury University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Towson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,101. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.