[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports management education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 518 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sports management schools.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for sports management in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,982. Sports Management graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $39,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,314 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $26,931. Set against $14,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for sports management. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,629 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,629 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $39,717. Set against $19,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,135. Early-career sports management graduates make about $43,506. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #6 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, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,620. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #7 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $18,750. Early-career sports management graduates make about $29,519. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $14,551. Early-career sports management graduates make about $22,148. Set against $14,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of North Florida placed #9 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $33,364. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Rice University landed the #10 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $10,000. 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. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Farmingdale State College came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $29,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #12 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,081. Early-career sports management graduates make about $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Saint Xavier University placed #13 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,945. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,735. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,753. That is a strong return on a $25,735 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
American Public University System came in at #14 for value in sports management this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $51,381. Set against $19,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $20,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of West Florida placed #16 among the best values for sports management. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Set against $22,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Georgia landed the #17 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $33,108. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University earned the #18 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Durant, Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southeastern Oklahoma State University generally make around $53,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #19 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,102. Sports Management graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,102 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Fayetteville State University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $41,449. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #21 among the best values for sports management. Texas A And M University Commerce is a large public school located in the town of Commerce. In-state tuition and fees average $10,026, while out-of-state students pay about $22,326. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,007 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Texas A And M University Commerce earn a median of $36,305 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #22 for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, while out-of-state students pay about $22,907. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,375. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $35,587. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rhode Island College came in at #23 for value in sports management this year. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,394 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Rhode Island College earn a median of $45,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,394 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $23,034 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Mississippi Main Campus generally make around $22,239. Set against $23,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #25 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, while out-of-state students pay about $34,650. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $45,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
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 · 518 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 518 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports management education at a price that pays off.
