by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Middlesex County College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in New Jersey. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,975. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Mercer County Community College one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the rural area of West Windsor, Mercer County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, with out-of-state students paying around $9,174. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $12,250. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mercer County Community College generally make around $45,389. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Raritan Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Students borrow a median of $9,668 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Burlington County College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Burlington County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Mount Laurel. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,495. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $12,488. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $52,240. That is a strong return on a $12,488 median debt.
County College Of Morris came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $7,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson County Community College came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,384 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $35,909 early in their careers. Set against $10,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sussex County Community College landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,544, compared with $9,024 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gloucester County College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,236. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Gloucester County College generally make around $38,274. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.
Kean University placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $48,705. That is a strong return on a $26,703 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Saint Peters College landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,051 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $19,735. That is a strong return on a $25,051 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,949 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $29,907. That is a strong return on a $26,949 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
New Jersey City University landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,107. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $47,083. Set against $22,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Jersey City University admits about 98% of applicants.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $29,189 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,382. Set against $29,189 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Georgian Court University came in at #14 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Lakewood, Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,110. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $54,707. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #15 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,990. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,490. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $39,484. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Caldwell College earned the #17 position for value in exercise science this year. Caldwell College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Caldwell. Students from in state pay about $40,848 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,188 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Caldwell College generally make around $48,400. Set against $26,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Rider University landed the #18 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,120. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,241. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $48,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #19 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,632, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,429 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $56,617. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
