2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Pennsylvania
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Bucks County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. That is a strong return on a $13,068 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,167. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $38,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lehigh Carbon Community College earned it the #3 place for exercise science. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,450. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Set against $14,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,400. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $35,098 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,770, with out-of-state students paying around $26,644. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Bradford generally make around $24,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Bradford admits about 88% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,303. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,463. Set against $26,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
York College Pennsylvania came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,588. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from York College Pennsylvania generally make around $35,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $32,252 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $39,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Seton Hill University came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Greensburg, Seton Hill University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,944 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Seton Hill University earn a median of $32,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Wilson College landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $34,814. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Wilson College generally make around $58,020. That is a strong return on a $34,814 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Thiel College came in at #11 for value in exercise science this year. Thiel College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $38,344. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Thiel College generally make around $36,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,390 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,390 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Kings College earned the #13 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,100. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,980 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $45,414. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kings College admits about 93% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Altoona is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Altoona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,133. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in exercise science this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #16 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,133. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Marywood University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,420. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,744 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $53,292 early in their careers. Set against $27,744 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #18 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,616. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Elizabethtown College landed the #19 spot for exercise science value this year. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,599. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $57,397. That is a strong return on a $26,599 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Immaculata University placed #20 among the best values for exercise science. Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Immaculata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,980. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Immaculata University earn a median of $26,236 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks placed #21 among the best values for exercise science. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks earn a median of $30,133 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Lebanon Valley College came in at #22 for value in exercise science this year. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,080. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lebanon Valley College generally make around $39,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Temple University placed #23 among the best values for exercise science. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $37,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University earned the #24 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Set against $32,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University earned the #25 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,426. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $65,421. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 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.
