by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Northwest Mississippi Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in Mississippi. Located in the town of Senatobia, Northwest Mississippi Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,740. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $9,990 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,001. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,034. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $22,239. That is a strong return on a $23,034 median debt. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
Belhaven University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Jackson, Belhaven University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Belhaven University generally make around $38,338. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Mississippi State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $34,181. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,770. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $41,034. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Blue Mountain College earned the #6 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,180. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,542 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Blue Mountain College earn a median of $36,823 early in their careers. Set against $22,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi College came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Mississippi College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Clinton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,500. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mississippi College generally make around $30,193. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi College admits about 29% of applicants.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.