2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Massachusetts
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
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2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Massachusetts
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
Our analysis ranked Fitchburg State University the best value for a degree in exercise science in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Fitchburg State University generally make around $48,965. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,574. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $66,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $31,755. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American International College earned it the #5 place for exercise science. American International College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $44,230. Students borrow a median of $30,390 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from American International College generally make around $66,104. Set against $30,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American International College admits about 100% of applicants.
Lasell College landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. Lasell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Newton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,040. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lasell College generally make around $40,486. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Lasell College admits about 81% of applicants.
Regis College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,680. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $69,483. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Smith College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Smith College earn a median of $43,642 early in their careers. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Curry College placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Curry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Milton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,570. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,571. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $59,338. Set against $26,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Curry College admits about 88% of applicants.
Springfield College earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $39,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Dean College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Dean College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Franklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,526. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,609. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Dean College admits about 74% of applicants.
Merrimack College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Set against $26,913 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants.
Endicott College earned the #13 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Exercise Science graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $30,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
