2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 111 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools in the Great Lakes Region. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. 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. Sports Management graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $42,490 early in their careers. Set against $19,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Triton College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $12,994. Sports Management graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Saint Xavier University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,945 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Xavier University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lorain County Community College earned it the #4 place for sports management. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $40,095 early in their careers. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #5 place for sports management. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,249. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,636 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $39,394. Set against $14,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbus State Community College earned the #6 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the sports management program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #7 for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,066, with out-of-state students paying around $22,907. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. University Of Southern Indiana admits about 96% of applicants.
Wayne State University landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,568. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Sinclair Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #10 for value in sports management this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,776. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Kenosha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,349. Sports Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $30,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #12 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,619. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $50,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University came in at #13 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $20,091 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $64,652. That is a strong return on a $20,091 median debt. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University placed #14 among the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University landed the #15 spot for sports management value this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $36,582. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #16 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $34,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Ball State University earned the #17 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,962. Early-career sports management graduates make about $36,829. Set against $25,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Carroll University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $33,333. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,221. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Goshen College placed #20 among the best values for sports management. Goshen College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Goshen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $71,791. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Western Illinois University landed the #21 spot for sports management value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $33,473. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #22 among the best values for sports management. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #23 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $35,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $29,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #25 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $29,866. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sports management:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 111 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 111 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.
