2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 81 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Management Schools
Valley City State University tops our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Valley City, Valley City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,580, with out-of-state students paying around $13,544. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,074 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $48,241. Set against $25,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valley City State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Des Moines Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $14,956 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $43,121. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Mayville State University, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,237. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,464 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Mayville State University earn a median of $49,971 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Missouri Southern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Joplin, Missouri Southern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,600, compared with $18,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,947. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,465. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $34,774 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Haskell Indian Nations University earned the #6 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $600. Early-career sports management graduates make about $24,914. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #7 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $53,079. Set against $25,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Morris came in at #8 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,526 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,080. Early-career sports management graduates make about $44,479. That is a strong return on a $21,080 median debt. University Of Minnesota Morris admits about 75% of applicants.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $36,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Saint Cloud State University placed #10 among the best values for sports management. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,625. Set against $25,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $39,975. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Dickinson State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,118. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,266. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Dickinson State University generally make around $51,049. Set against $27,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $36,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Missouri Western State University landed the #14 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the city of Saint Joseph, Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,545 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $24,815. Sports Management graduates of Missouri Western State University earn a median of $36,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #15 position for value in sports management this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $37,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Bemidji State University landed the #16 spot for sports management value this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,898 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $32,388 early in their careers. Set against $24,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas came in at #17 for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $33,891. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Minot State University landed the #18 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Minot, Minot State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,702. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,788. Sports Management graduates of Minot State University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minot State University admits about 65% of applicants.
Winona State University placed #19 among the best values for sports management. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,550. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $41,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Wayne State College came in at #20 for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,171. Students borrow a median of $25,043 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $35,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #21 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,572 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $34,638. Set against $22,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #22 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,876 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $29,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Butler Community College came in at #23 for value in sports management this year. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, while out-of-state students pay about $6,271. Students borrow a median of $16,670 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bellevue University earned the #24 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,873. Students borrow a median of $27,852 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Bellevue University earn a median of $33,229 early in their careers. Set against $27,852 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern State University earned the #25 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Aberdeen, Northern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,845, while out-of-state students pay about $11,947. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $45,824. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. Northern State University admits about 93% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Management Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sports management:
Narrow Sports Management Schools by State
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 81 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.
