2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Southeast 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 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 155 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 Southeast 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 University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,575 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $39,401. Set against $16,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,682. That is a strong return on a $20,659 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #4 place for exercise science. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,249. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,188 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,188 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
American Public University System placed #6 among the best values for exercise science. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,312 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $55,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Marshall University landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $20,682 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Fairmont State University placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Fairmont, Fairmont State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,708, compared with $18,924 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Fairmont State University earn a median of $30,833 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Mississippi Community College came in at #9 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,740. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northwest Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,001. That is a strong return on a $9,990 median debt.
University Of Georgia came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $36,359 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $36,002. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Louisiana State University Alexandria ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Louisiana State University Alexandria is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Alexandria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $14,725. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,656. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $47,702. That is a strong return on a $24,656 median debt. Louisiana State University Alexandria admits about 92% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,593 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $25,858 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,593 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $43,319 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Austin Peay State University placed #16 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,636. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Austin Peay State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #17 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,034 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $22,239. Set against $23,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Morehead State University came in at #18 for value in exercise science this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,024, with out-of-state students paying around $14,980. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,946. Exercise Science graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $30,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Louisiana Tech University landed the #19 spot for exercise science value this year. Louisiana Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Ruston. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, with out-of-state students paying around $16,866. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Louisiana Tech University earn a median of $31,802 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Alabama earned the #20 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,250. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $29,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,722. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Memphis landed the #22 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $35,610. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Mcneese State University placed #23 among the best values for exercise science. Mcneese State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lake Charles. Students from in state pay about $8,489 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,989. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,014. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $38,189. That is a strong return on a $19,014 median debt. Mcneese State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #24 spot for exercise science value this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,821. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Georgia Southwestern State University earned the #25 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Americus, Georgia Southwestern State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, compared with $16,572 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 Georgia Southwestern State University generally make around $32,709. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Georgia Southwestern State University admits about 75% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 155 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 155 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.
