2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in South Carolina
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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 South Carolina
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
Coastal Carolina University tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in South Carolina. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,997 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $36,399 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,997 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of South Carolina Aiken one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Aiken, University Of South Carolina Aiken is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,760 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,218. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $30,975. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Aiken generally make around $25,467. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Winthrop University one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, compared with $28,676 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Lander University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,700, with out-of-state students paying around $21,300. Students borrow a median of $24,995 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,155. Set against $24,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lander University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Wesleyan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Central, Southern Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,800. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $31,554. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,539. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Wesleyan University admits about 100% of applicants.
Columbia College South Carolina ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Columbia College South Carolina is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,054. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $28,158. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $48,339. Set against $28,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia College South Carolina admits about 94% of applicants.
Bob Jones University came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Greenville, Bob Jones University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,892. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,481. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,250. Exercise Science graduates of Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earn a median of $43,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina admits about 23% of applicants.
Coker College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Hartsville, Coker College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $33,416. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Coker College generally make around $30,333. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Newberry College earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Newberry, Newberry College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,100. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $28,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Newberry College generally make around $33,159. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Newberry College admits about 90% of applicants.
Charleston Southern University landed the #11 spot for exercise science value this year. Charleston Southern University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $32,520. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Charleston Southern University earn a median of $26,722 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Anderson University Sc landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Anderson, Anderson University Sc is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,970 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Anderson University Sc generally make around $27,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Anderson University Sc admits about 55% of applicants.
Furman University placed #13 among the best values for exercise science. Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,770. Students borrow a median of $23,764 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $36,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Furman University admits about 43% of applicants.
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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.
