2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 83 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
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2027 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in the The Plains States Region. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $14,956 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,500. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $26,865. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #3 place for exercise science. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,661. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,812 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Missouri Southern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Joplin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, with out-of-state students paying around $18,300. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,947. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Missouri Southern State University generally make around $34,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Peru State College came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Students borrow a median of $26,254 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,250. Exercise Science graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $36,646 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Central Missouri placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Iowa Lakes Community College came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,392, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pittsburg State University landed the #11 spot for exercise science value this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,900. Exercise Science graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $36,393 early in their careers. Set against $24,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pittsburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Iowa Western Community College came in at #12 for value in exercise science this year. Iowa Western Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Students from in state pay about $6,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Iowa Western Community College earn a median of $43,444 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dickinson State University earned the #13 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,049. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Bemidji State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,898 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,891. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Winona State University placed #16 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,550. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $41,742. That is a strong return on a $25,550 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Minnesota State University landed the #17 spot for exercise science value this year. Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,802. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Avila University generally make around $51,234. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Avila University admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,876. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $29,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Saint Mary placed #20 among the best values for exercise science. College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,510. Students borrow a median of $25,539 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from College Of Saint Mary generally make around $66,015. That is a strong return on a $25,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Bellevue University landed the #21 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,873. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $61,548. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #22 spot for exercise science value this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $34,385. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #23 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,492. That is a strong return on a $25,425 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of North Dakota came in at #24 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of North Dakota generally make around $64,378. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #25 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $23,629. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $33,055. Set against $23,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Exercise Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for exercise science this year:
Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State
More Exercise Science Rankings
View All Exercise Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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.
