by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
College Of San Mateo tops our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools in California. Set in the city of San Mateo, College Of San Mateo is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $12,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #3 place for sports management. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes Riverside City College one of the best values for sports management. Riverside City College is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $8,046. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Riverside City College generally make around $25,516. Set against $8,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cypress College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College placed #6 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $8,978. Sports Management graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College landed the #7 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position for value in sports management this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete the sports management program here. 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%.
Fullerton College came in at #9 for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Fullerton College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Rio Hondo College earned the #10 position for value in sports management this year. Rio Hondo College is a very large public school located in the rural area of Whittier. In-state tuition and fees average $1,388, while out-of-state students pay about $9,884. Students borrow a median of $15,510 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Rio Hondo College generally make around $95,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuesta College came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Cuesta College is a large public school located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $1,350 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,010 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $18,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Cuesta College generally make around $64,492. Set against $18,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno Pacific University earned the #12 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Students borrow a median of $24,596 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $60,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fresno Pacific University admits about 64% of applicants.
California Lutheran University landed the #13 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,560. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $33,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Ashford University came in at #14 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $38,750 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $44,513 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Menlo College earned the #15 position for value in sports management this year. Menlo College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Atherton. Students from in state pay about $53,630 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,686 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Menlo College generally make around $60,211. Set against $24,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
California Baptist University landed the #16 spot for sports management value this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,449. Early-career sports management graduates make about $40,566. That is a strong return on a $27,449 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Irvine ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $43,152. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Saint Marys College Of California placed #18 among the best values for sports management. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. Students from in state pay about $57,803 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,300. Early-career sports management graduates make about $49,447. That is a strong return on a $24,300 median debt. Saint Marys College Of California admits about 86% of applicants.
The Masters College And Seminary ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,020. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,500. Early-career sports management graduates make about $41,502. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of San Francisco ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,905 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $36,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,905 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Pepperdine University came in at #21 for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Malibu, Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,918. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,336 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Pepperdine University earn a median of $34,388 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,336 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.