2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains 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
Laramie County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the rural area of Cheyenne, Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,613, with out-of-state students paying around $10,913. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $15,309 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Laramie County Community College earn a median of $51,302 early in their careers. Set against $15,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Utah University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,352. Exercise Science graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $30,092 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,588 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $39,059. Set against $19,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Colorado State University Pueblo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,117 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $34,865 early in their careers. Set against $26,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Adams State College earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,451 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Adams State College earn a median of $30,045 early in their careers. Set against $21,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,101. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,326. Set against $22,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utah State University placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $16,191. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,292. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $41,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mesa State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,253. Set against $25,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #12 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $9,281 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $25,253. Set against $9,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Lewis Clark State College earned the #13 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,610, while out-of-state students pay about $22,028. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,475. Exercise Science graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of $33,176 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Dixie State College Of Utah earned the #14 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Saint George, Dixie State College Of Utah is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,306, compared with $18,246 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,437 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,912. That is a strong return on a $18,437 median debt.
The University Of Montana Western placed #15 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,669, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,484 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Montana Western earn a median of $36,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Western State College Of Colorado landed the #16 spot for exercise science value this year. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,050. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $21,038. That is a strong return on a $25,050 median debt. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College placed #17 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $24,419. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Great Falls ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Great Falls, University Of Great Falls is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,448. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,847. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $104,670. Set against $23,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Great Falls admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #19 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. In-state tuition and fees average $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $40,585 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Regis University earned the #20 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Denver, Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,773 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $72,028. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #21 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $35,326 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rocky Mountain College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Billings, Rocky Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,582 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Rocky Mountain College earn a median of $30,025 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Boise State University came in at #23 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,524. Exercise Science graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $49,059 early in their careers. Set against $22,524 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,635 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. Set against $23,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Colorado Christian University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. In-state tuition and fees average $28,846. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $36,092. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $47,333. Set against $36,092 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
