2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Minnesota

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for sports management students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Management Schools in Minnesota
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 Minnesota Morris earned the #1 spot for value among sports management schools in Minnesota. Located in the town of Morris, University Of Minnesota Morris is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,526, compared with $16,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $21,080. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Morris generally make around $44,479. Set against $21,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Students borrow a median of $25,076 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $51,625. That is a strong return on a $25,076 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the sports management program here. Early-career sports management graduates make about $36,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Bemidji State University one of the best values for sports management. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,237. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,898 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $32,388. Set against $24,898 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Winona State University one of the best values for sports management. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,550. Sports Management graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $41,742 early in their careers. Set against $25,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #6 among the best values for sports management. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $29,156 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $39,033. Set against $29,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #7 spot for sports management value this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $24,420 in student loans. Early-career sports management graduates make about $42,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Gustavus Adolphus College earned the #8 position for value in sports management this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Sports Management graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $38,796 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gustavus Adolphus College admits about 61% of applicants.
North Central University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, North Central University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,220. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $25,496. Sports Management graduates of North Central University earn a median of $39,190 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Central University admits about 99% of applicants.
Crown College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Set in the rural area of Saint Bonifacius, Crown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,410. Students borrow a median of $29,537 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Crown College generally make around $42,695. Set against $29,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Crown College admits about 23% of applicants.
Northwestern College Minnesota earned the #11 position for value in sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,920. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Northwestern College Minnesota generally make around $30,176. Set against $23,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.