2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Colorado

[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Colorado
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
Colorado State University Pueblo tops our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools in Colorado. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $34,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Adams State College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,824, while out-of-state students pay about $21,944. Students borrow a median of $21,451 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $30,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Metropolitan State College Of Denver one of the best values for exercise science. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Students borrow a median of $22,292 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $41,161. That is a strong return on a $22,292 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $31,253. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Western State College Of Colorado is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,434. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,050 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $21,038 early in their careers. Set against $25,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College placed #6 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $40,585 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #8 position for value in exercise science this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $35,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Regis University came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. Regis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $28,140 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $31,773. Exercise Science graduates of Regis University earn a median of $72,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,773 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado Christian University earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Colorado Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $28,846 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $36,092 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Colorado Christian University generally make around $47,333. That is a strong return on a $36,092 median debt.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.