2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Southeast Region
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 172 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for sports management in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $19,982. Early-career sports management graduates make about $45,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida Online one of the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $19,982 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $39,717. That is a strong return on a $19,982 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Florida earned it the #3 place for sports management. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,620 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. That is a strong return on a $21,620 median debt. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for sports management. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. 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 $34,630. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Florida came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $33,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
American Public University System came in at #7 for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $19,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $55,491. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of West Florida landed the #8 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,188 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $28,643. Set against $22,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University came in at #9 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $20,682. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for sports management value 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, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $36,359. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Holmes Community College came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,710, while out-of-state students pay about $6,610. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $13,191. Early-career sports management graduates make about $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville State University placed #12 among the best values for sports management. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $41,449. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Mississippi Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Students borrow a median of $23,034 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $22,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mississippi Main Campus admits about 97% of applicants.
East Mississippi Community College placed #14 among the best values for sports management. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $9,422 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of East Mississippi Community College earn a median of $34,012 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $43,319 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #16 for value in sports management this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,593 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $25,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Morehead State University placed #17 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,946 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $30,696. Set against $25,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Georgia ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. Students from in state pay about $6,088 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University landed the #19 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $41,176. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $23,250. Sports Management graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $29,714 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,500 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $35,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #22 among the best values for sports management. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $33,722. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kentucky State University came in at #23 for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Students borrow a median of $29,774 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $28,497. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #24 for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $36,462. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #25 among the best values for sports management. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,000. Sports Management graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $25,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sports management value ranking:
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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 · 172 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 172 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.
