by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools in the United States. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $11,428 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cypress College earned it the #2 place for sports management. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Santa Monica College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #3 spot this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. 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. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saddleback College earned it the #5 place for sports management. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $5,707. Sports Management graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $9,205. Early-career sports management graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College placed #7 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the sports management program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fullerton College placed #9 among the best values for sports management. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Lee College earned the #10 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
Columbus State Community College came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the sports management program here. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College placed #12 among the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $17,611. Early-career sports management graduates make about $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Riverside City College earned the #13 position for value in sports management this year. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $8,046. Sports Management graduates of Riverside City College earn a median of $25,516 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College placed #14 among the best values for sports management. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $38,757. That is a strong return on a $12,921 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #15 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $39,394 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #16 for value in sports management this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Union County College came in at #17 for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $38,168. That is a strong return on a $14,218 median debt.
Holmes Community College placed #18 among the best values for sports management. Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Goodman. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $13,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Holmes Community College generally make around $32,145. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $13,926 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,068 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $37,711. Set against $13,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Laramie County Community College placed #20 among the best values for sports management. Laramie County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Cheyenne. In-state tuition and fees average $4,613, compared with $10,913 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $15,309. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Laramie County Community College generally make around $51,302. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.
East Mississippi Community College landed the #21 spot for sports management value this year. East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $9,422. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earned the #22 position for value in sports management this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,976 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $17,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom generally make around $39,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College earned the #23 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $13,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca earned the #24 position for value in sports management this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Ca is a large public school located in the city of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $1,191 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,935. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $19,800 in student loans. Median earnings reach $41,540 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haskell Indian Nations University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Haskell Indian Nations University generally make around $24,914. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
These schools also delivered strong value for sports management this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sports Management rankings across degree levels:
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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.