by our College Data Analytics Team
[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Des Moines Area Community College the best value for a degree in exercise science in Iowa. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Iowa Lakes Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Estherville, Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,392, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $20,876 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $46,937. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Northern Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $22,500. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa State University earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,425 to complete the exercise science program here. 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. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Iowa Western Community College one of the best values for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, compared with $7,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,153 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $43,444. That is a strong return on a $15,153 median debt.
Coe College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Coe College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $54,666. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Coe College generally make around $44,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Mercy University earned the #7 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Mount Mercy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,878 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,709. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mount Mercy University generally make around $50,431. That is a strong return on a $27,709 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Buena Vista University came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,798 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Buena Vista University earn a median of $38,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa placed #9 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,737. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Loras College came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Loras College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. Students from in state pay about $39,824 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loras College admits about 100% of applicants.
Grand View University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,762 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,921. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Grand View University generally make around $43,236. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand View University admits about 99% of applicants.
Luther College landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Luther College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Decorah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,120. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
William Penn University came in at #13 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,750. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from William Penn University generally make around $30,314. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Central College landed the #14 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the town of Pella, Central College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,988. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $35,914. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Central College admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Dubuque earned the #15 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,095. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,560 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Dubuque earn a median of $37,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Cornell College landed the #16 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,660. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Cornell College earn a median of $35,439 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Cornell College admits about 80% of applicants.
Briar Cliff University landed the #17 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,642. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $61,105. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Ambrose University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,658. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $26,608. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Dordt College landed the #19 spot for exercise science value this year. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,050. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $21,812. Exercise Science graduates of Dordt College earn a median of $54,926 early in their careers. Set against $21,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dordt College admits about 68% of applicants.
Northwestern College Iowa ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the town of Orange City, Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,710. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northwestern College Iowa generally make around $54,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwestern College Iowa admits about 80% of applicants.
Drake University came in at #21 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Set against $22,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wartburg College earned the #22 position for value in exercise science this year. Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waverly. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,250. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $46,918. Set against $26,793 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.