by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value exercise science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Saint Cloud State University tops our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools in Minnesota. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,076. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $51,625. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Bemidji State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Students borrow a median of $24,898 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Southwest Minnesota State University one of the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Marshall, Southwest Minnesota State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,361. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Southwest Minnesota State University earn a median of $32,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Winona State University earned it the #4 place for exercise science. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,550 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $41,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Minnesota State University Moorhead, which ranked #5. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $38,088. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $23,629 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $33,055. That is a strong return on a $23,629 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #7 position for value in exercise science this year. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $25,600. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $29,156. Exercise Science graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $39,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Hamline University came in at #8 for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $48,679. Set against $25,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Augsburg College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Augsburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,452. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $37,473. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augsburg College admits about 82% of applicants.
St Olaf College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $33,577. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #11 position for value in exercise science this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,637. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $44,611. That is a strong return on a $26,637 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Crown College landed the #12 spot for exercise science value this year. Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius. Students from in state pay about $31,410 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $29,537. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,695. Set against $29,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 23%.
Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,920. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $30,176. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Bethel University Minnesota placed #14 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Bethel University Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,226. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Bethel University Minnesota earn a median of $31,919 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bethel University Minnesota admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Students borrow a median of $23,923 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. That is a strong return on a $23,923 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.