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 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below.
El Paso Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in Texas. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $19,327 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,081. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #4 makes Austin Community College District one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $14,625 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At El Paso is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,049. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $23,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,690 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $32,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,690 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #7 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $36,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Lamar University placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $31,935 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Womans University landed the #9 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $20,167. Exercise Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $43,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,167 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Texas A And M University Commerce earned the #10 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Commerce, Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, compared with $22,326 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,007. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,415. Exercise Science graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Temple College landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Temple, Temple College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $16,617 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Temple College generally make around $55,262. That is a strong return on a $16,617 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #13 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $60,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #14 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,292 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $33,957. That is a strong return on a $18,292 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Texas A And M University Texarkana ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,349, compared with $24,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,270. Exercise Science graduates of Texas A And M University Texarkana earn a median of $44,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #16 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $19,023 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $30,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Kingsville came in at #17 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Students borrow a median of $27,957 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $32,302. Set against $27,957 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,298. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #19 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,995. Exercise Science graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $37,000 early in their careers. Set against $25,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Jarvis Christian College landed the #20 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the rural area of Hawkins, Jarvis Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,720. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Jarvis Christian College generally make around $25,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sul Ross State University came in at #21 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Alpine, Sul Ross State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,592, compared with $17,672 for out-of-state students. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Sul Ross State University generally make around $49,891. That is a strong return on a $27,670 median debt. Sul Ross State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Angelo State University earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Angelo State University is a large public school located in the city of San Angelo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,093 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #23 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Students borrow a median of $28,621 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $25,594. Set against $28,621 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake placed #25 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,346, with out-of-state students paying around $22,290. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,107. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in exercise science:
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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.