[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 596 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.
Finding the Best Value Sports Management School for You
Where you study sports management affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Sports Management Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Sports Management Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in sports management in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $45,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
California State University Fresno is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $26,931. That is a strong return on a $14,314 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $13,629 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,982. Early-career sports management graduates make about $39,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of San Mateo earned it the #5 place for sports management. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $11,428. Students borrow a median of $12,831 to complete the sports management program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,172 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Cypress College landed the #6 spot for sports management value this year. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Santa Monica College came in at #7 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Saddleback College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $15,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,490. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #10 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Orange Coast College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Florida State University placed #13 among the best values for sports management. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $34,630 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Diablo Valley College landed the #14 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
California State University Long Beach landed the #15 spot for sports management value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,551 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,753 early in their careers. Set against $14,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Irvine Valley College landed the #16 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the sports management program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College landed the #17 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Florida landed the #18 spot for sports management value this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $33,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Lee College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,829. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,249. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University earned the #21 position for value in sports management this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $51,110. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Farmingdale State College landed the #22 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $29,717. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #23 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,081. Sports Management graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fullerton College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Saint Xavier University landed the #25 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,735. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for sports management this year:
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 · 596 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 596 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).
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
