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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
For return on investment in exercise science, no school beat Truman State University this year. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri Southern State University earned it the #2 place for exercise science. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,600, while out-of-state students pay about $18,300. Students borrow a median of $24,947 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $34,465. Set against $24,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Missouri earned it the #3 place for exercise science. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,000. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Central Missouri earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at Missouri State University Springfield, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,876 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $29,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Avila University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. Avila University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kansas City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,200. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Avila University earn a median of $51,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Lindenwood University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Charles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $28,000. Exercise Science graduates of Lindenwood University earn a median of $35,314 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Logan University landed the #7 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Chesterfield, Logan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $48,504. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Missouri Valley College landed the #8 spot for exercise science value this year. Missouri Valley College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Marshall. In-state tuition and fees average $23,700. Students borrow a median of $28,708 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Missouri Valley College earn a median of $33,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,708 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Baptist University landed the #9 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,566 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $19,550. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $30,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southwest Baptist University admits about 68% of applicants.
Maryville University Of Saint Louis came in at #10 for value in exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,166. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $32,480. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Westminster College Missouri ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Fulton, Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,214. Students borrow a median of $26,170 to complete the exercise science program here. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Westminster College Missouri generally make around $37,667. That is a strong return on a $26,170 median debt. Westminster College Missouri admits about 79% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,760 in tuition and fees. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,316 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $65,599. Set against $26,316 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Rockhurst University earned the #13 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Rockhurst University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,966. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Rockhurst University generally make around $70,849. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rockhurst University admits about 70% of applicants.
William Woods University came in at #14 for value in exercise science this year. William Woods University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fulton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,340. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,545 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $24,329. That is a strong return on a $25,545 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri Baptist University landed the #15 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri Baptist University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,122. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the exercise science program here. Exercise Science graduates of Missouri Baptist University earn a median of $39,737 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Webster University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value exercise science schools. Webster University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. In-state tuition and fees average $31,750. Students borrow a median of $25,939 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $57,152. Set against $25,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Webster University admits about 86% of applicants.
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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.