by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports management students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.
Haskell Indian Nations University earned the #1 spot for value among sports management schools in Kansas. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $600. Sports Management graduates of Haskell Indian Nations University earn a median of $24,914 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Wichita State University one of the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $34,774. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $33,891. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Butler Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Sports Management graduates of Butler Community College earn a median of $39,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tabor College earned it the #5 place for sports management. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Tabor College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,200 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,058 ten years after entry. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Sterling College Kansas ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the rural area of Sterling, Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,700. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the sports management program here. Sports Management graduates of Sterling College Kansas earn a median of $30,086 early in their careers. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
University Of Saint Mary earned the #7 position for value in sports management this year. University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Leavenworth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,380. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,946 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $29,151. Set against $27,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Saint Mary admits about 87% of applicants.
Kansas Wesleyan University came in at #8 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Salina, Kansas Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,630. Students borrow a median of $26,076 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,094. Set against $26,076 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kansas Wesleyan University admits about 72% of applicants.
Baker University came in at #9 for value in sports management this year. Set in the rural area of Baldwin City, Baker University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,200. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $29,554 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Baker University generally make around $62,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baker University admits about 94% of applicants.
Mcpherson College earned the #10 position for value in sports management this year. Located in the town of McPherson, Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,146. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Mcpherson College generally make around $42,278. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mcpherson College admits about 77% of applicants.
Bethany College Kansas came in at #11 for value in sports management this year. Located in the rural area of Lindsborg, Bethany College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $28,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Friends University came in at #12 for value in sports management this year. Friends University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $34,192. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $26,500. Sports Management graduates of Friends University earn a median of $24,870 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Friends University admits about 55% of applicants.
Ottawa University Ottawa came in at #13 for value in sports management this year. Set in the town of Ottawa, Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,880. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Ottawa University Ottawa generally make around $30,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ottawa University Ottawa admits about 83% of applicants.
Southwestern College landed the #14 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,822. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $31,875. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Southwestern College generally make around $58,036. Set against $31,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southwestern College admits about 76% of applicants.
Midamerica Nazarene University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,174 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,740. Early-career sports management graduates make about $63,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.