by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sports Management](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-management/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports management education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 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.
Wayne State College tops our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools in Nebraska. Located in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,171. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $25,043 in student loans. Sports Management graduates of Wayne State College earn a median of $35,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,043 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. In-state tuition and fees average $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $34,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Bellevue University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. 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.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Nebraska Wesleyan University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University generally make around $28,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in sports management will find it at Concordia University Seward, which ranked #5. Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Seward. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Typical student debt for sports management graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports management graduates make about $58,863. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Seward admits about 86% of applicants.
Midland University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sports management schools. Located in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,050. Sports Management graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Midland University generally make around $31,475. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Midland University admits about 66% of applicants.
Doane College Crete earned the #7 position for value in sports management this year. Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Crete. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,985. Students borrow a median of $28,802 to complete the sports management program here. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Doane College Crete generally make around $53,500. Set against $28,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.