2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Nebraska

[Exercise Science](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong exercise science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for exercise science students.
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2026 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in Nebraska
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in exercise science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Exercise Science Schools
Northeast Community College earned the #1 spot for value among exercise science schools in Nebraska. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $11,937. Exercise Science graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for exercise science. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,661 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $42,812 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,661 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Peru State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Peru, Peru State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $26,254 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $40,993. That is a strong return on a $26,254 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in exercise science will find it at College Of Saint Mary, which ranked #4. 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. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $25,539 in student loans. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $66,015. Set against $25,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Saint Mary admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value exercise science schools. Located in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $26,500. 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.
Hastings College came in at #6 for value in exercise science this year. Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hastings. In-state tuition and fees average $37,770. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $24,125. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $42,417. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Wesleyan University earned the #7 position for value in exercise science this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the exercise science program here. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $28,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Concordia University Seward placed #8 among the best values for exercise science. Set in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,640. Exercise Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Exercise Science graduates of Concordia University Seward earn a median of $58,863 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Midland University earned the #9 position for value in exercise science this year. Set in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,050. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,000. Early-career exercise science graduates make about $31,475. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Bellevue University landed the #10 spot for exercise science value this year. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Typical student debt for exercise science graduates is $27,852. Exercise Science graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $61,548 early in their careers. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Exercise Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.