2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Michigan
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Michigan
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools in Michigan. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, 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 $42,490. That is a strong return on a $19,135 median debt. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne State University earned it the #2 place for sports management. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #3 place for sports management. 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.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Northern Michigan University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $22,113. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Western Michigan University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $35,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University earned the #6 position for value in sports management this year. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,894 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $34,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Students from in state pay about $15,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $26,300 to complete the sports management program here. 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.
Siena Heights University came in at #8 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $30,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,790 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $52,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Siena Heights University admits about 69% of applicants.
Aquinas College Michigan placed #9 among the best values for sports management. Aquinas College Michigan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $40,218. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Aquinas College Michigan earn a median of $27,301 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Central Michigan University came in at #10 for value in sports management this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Sports Management graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $36,910 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Madonna University placed #11 among the best values for sports management. Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Livonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,440. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $56,984. Set against $26,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Davenport University landed the #12 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the suburb of Grand Rapids, Davenport University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,466. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Davenport University generally make around $34,380. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Davenport University admits about 98% of applicants.
Spring Arbor University landed the #13 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,014. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $28,268. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $53,080. That is a strong return on a $28,268 median debt. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #14 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Sports Management graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $37,279 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Cornerstone University came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Cornerstone University generally make around $27,327. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Olivet College landed the #16 spot for sports management value this year. Olivet College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Olivet. Students from in state pay about $34,068 in tuition and fees. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $29,578 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Olivet College earn a median of $24,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rochester College landed the #17 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Rochester College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,196. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Rochester College earn a median of $45,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Adrian College placed #18 among the best values for sports management. Adrian College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Adrian. In-state tuition and fees average $41,684. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Adrian College generally make around $36,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northwood University Michigan ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Midland, Northwood University Michigan is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,400. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,237 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Northwood University Michigan generally make around $28,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Ann Arbor landed the #20 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, Concordia University Ann Arbor is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,410 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Concordia University Ann Arbor generally make around $27,522. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Ann Arbor admits about 69% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
