2027 Best Value Sports Management Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 204 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among sports management schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $50,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for sports management. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
California State University Long Beach came in at #3 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $14,551. Sports Management graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $49,357 early in their careers. Set against $14,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for sports management. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Set against $21,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for sports management. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $39,740. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The University Of West Florida placed #6 among the best values for sports management. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,188. Sports Management graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $28,643 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,249. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #8 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,135. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $41,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. 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, compared with $16,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,660 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $53,961. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. Southeastern Oklahoma State University admits about 76% of applicants.
American Public University System earned the #10 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,312. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $59,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #11 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,102 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $50,039 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #12 for value in sports management this year. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Arkansas State University Main Campus generally make around $53,952. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #13 for value in sports management this year. University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of University. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,772, with out-of-state students paying around $28,600. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,034 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $22,239. Set against $23,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Commerce came in at #14 for value in sports management this year. 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. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,007. Early-career sports management graduates make about $55,000. That is a strong return on a $23,007 median debt. Texas A And M University Commerce admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $39,610. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Western Carolina University placed #16 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $49,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia earned the #17 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $46,432 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Wayne State University earned the #18 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $26,689 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
East Central University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $21,200 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of East Central University earn a median of $29,616 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,200 median debt. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Parkside landed the #20 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, while out-of-state students pay about $17,429. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,349 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of University Of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of $30,655 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Southern Indiana ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $45,429. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Utah State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $50,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University earned the #23 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. 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 $44,189. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $29,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University came in at #25 for value in sports management this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $41,123. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for sports management this year:
Other Sports Management Degree Levels
Explore the best-value sports management schools at other degree levels:
View All Sports Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 204 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 204 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.
