2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the New England Region
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 32 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the New England Region
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
For return on investment in exercise science, no school beat Rhode Island College this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. Set against $23,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern Maine one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $29,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Fitchburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $48,965. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,701. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Salem State University placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,755. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Vermont Technical College landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $37,493. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vermont Technical College admits about 82% of applicants.
Keene State College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Keene, Keene State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,784, compared with $26,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,892. Exercise Science graduates of Keene State College earn a median of $29,990 early in their careers. Set against $26,892 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Keene State College admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Vermont earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,163 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $27,835 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Plymouth State University came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,626, compared with $25,566 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $51,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Husson University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Husson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bangor. In-state tuition and fees average $23,304. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,769 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,993. That is a strong return on a $28,769 median debt. Husson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Connecticut State University came in at #14 for value in exercise science this year. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Southern Connecticut State University generally make around $50,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,704. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #16 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Norwich University placed #17 among the best values for exercise science. Norwich University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Norwich University generally make around $33,805. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants.
American International College came in at #18 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Springfield, American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,230 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of American International College earn a median of $66,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Simmons College came in at #19 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $48,876 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Colby Sawyer College placed #20 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the rural area of New London, Colby Sawyer College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $19,125 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Colby Sawyer College earn a median of $30,804 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Lasell College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Newton, Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,040. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Lasell College earn a median of $40,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Smith College landed the #22 spot for exercise science value this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,642. That is a strong return on a $18,941 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Regis College placed #23 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,680. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Regis College generally make around $69,483. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regis College admits about 70% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,420. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Curry College came in at #25 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Milton, Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $47,570 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,571. Exercise Science graduates of Curry College earn a median of $59,338 early in their careers. Set against $26,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for exercise science this year:
Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
