2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Virginia
[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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Leading the list is Old Dominion University, our #1 best value for exercise science in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $37,596. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,033. Exercise Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $36,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Emory And Henry College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,000. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $28,146. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Emory And Henry College admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Virginia Main Campus earned it the #5 place for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $40,998. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University landed the #6 spot for exercise science value this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $39,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Roanoke College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,068 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,304. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roanoke College admits about 83% of applicants.
Hampton University came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,592. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $27,633. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Hampton University admits about 62% of applicants.
Liberty University placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $25,645 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,930. That is a strong return on a $25,645 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Shenandoah University came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,950. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
