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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 79 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
El Paso Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in the Southwest Region. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $5,500. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,086. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $24,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for exercise science. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $14,625. Exercise Science graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $53,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,049. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $23,010 early in their careers. Set against $21,049 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #7 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,654 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,690 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,708. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Texas Womans University came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,167 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $43,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,183 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $23,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #10 among the best values for exercise science. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $36,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Redlands Community College placed #11 among the best values for exercise science. Redlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of El Reno. Students from in state pay about $5,385 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,951. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $14,682 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Redlands Community College generally make around $45,166. That is a strong return on a $14,682 median debt.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Lamar University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $31,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #14 among the best values for exercise science. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. Students from in state pay about $10,026 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,007 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $45,653. That is a strong return on a $23,007 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
Midwestern State University came in at #15 for value in exercise science this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Set against $26,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Mesa Community College came in at #16 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,750. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Temple College earned the #17 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Temple College earn a median of $55,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #18 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #19 for value in exercise science this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $18,292. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Tyler earn a median of $33,957 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,292 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Northeastern State University earned the #20 position for value in exercise science this year. Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Tahlequah. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Students borrow a median of $19,041 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of $34,428 early in their careers. Set against $19,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,650. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $28,769. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #22 for value in exercise science this year. Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,957. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $32,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rose State College placed #23 among the best values for exercise science. Rose State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Midwest City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,030, with out-of-state students paying around $11,407. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $13,451. Exercise Science graduates of Rose State College earn a median of $50,860 early in their careers. Set against $13,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Texarkana placed #24 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,349, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Students borrow a median of $25,270 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $44,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University Texarkana admits about 64% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,023 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise science value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 79 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.