2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Illinois
[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.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sports management schools.
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2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
Saint Xavier University earned the #1 spot for value among sports management schools in Illinois. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,945. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Triton College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Set against $12,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Illinois University earned it the #3 place for sports management. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $36,776. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for sports management. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $34,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #5 place for sports management. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $33,473. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University placed #6 among the best values for sports management. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $36,011. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Lewis University landed the #7 spot for sports management value this year. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Sports Management graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $28,856 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lewis University admits about 71% of applicants.
Eureka College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Eureka College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Eureka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,636. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,619. Early-career sports management graduates make about $40,144. Set against $26,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Chicago earned the #9 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Concordia University Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,488. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,166. Sports Management graduates of Concordia University Chicago earn a median of $40,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Judson University came in at #10 for value in sports management this year. Judson University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,297. Students borrow a median of $27,685 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $47,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Judson University admits about 48% of applicants.
Aurora University placed #11 among the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $37,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Greenville College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Greenville College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,200. Students borrow a median of $27,445 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Greenville College generally make around $36,911. That is a strong return on a $27,445 median debt. Greenville College admits about 98% of applicants.
Quincy University placed #13 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Quincy, Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,140. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,691 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $46,414. That is a strong return on a $26,691 median debt. Quincy University admits about 51% of applicants.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #14 for value in sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,900. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Olivet Nazarene University earn a median of $28,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,726. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,609. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. North Central College admits about 77% of applicants.
Millikin University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Decatur, Millikin University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,792. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Millikin University generally make around $26,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Millikin University admits about 67% of applicants.
Elmhurst College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,955. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,375. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $31,538. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mckendree University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,740. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $31,259. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northwestern University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $58,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
