College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Sports Management Schools

419 Colleges in the United States
16,967 Sports Management Degrees Awarded
$39,058 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sports Management programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 419 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best sports management schools.

What’s on this page:

Choosing a Great Sports Management School

Best Sports Management Schools

The school you choose for sports management can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Sports Management rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Sports Management Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Sports Management
Bachelor's Degrees in Sports Management
Master's Degrees in Sports Management

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Sports Management Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

Best Schools for Sports Management in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sports management education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Sports Management

1

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sports management. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 57 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $58,537 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Northwestern University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for sports management. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 208 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $42,490 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Georgetown University awarded about 161 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $54,668. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. More information about a degree in sports management from Georgetown University

4

George Washington University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 43 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $73,749 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. Read more about the sports management program at George Washington University

5
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #5 makes Rice University one of the top schools for sports management. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Rice University awarded about 39 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Rice University earn a median of $51,110 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,000. More information about a degree in sports management from Rice University

6

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #6 for sports management this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. About 149 sports management degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $33,717 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. See the full sports management program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

7
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #7 among the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. About 248 sports management degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from James Madison University earn around $40,528 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at James Madison University

8

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #8 spot for sports management this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 262 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $42,358. Students borrow a median of $20,414 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for Texas A And M University College Station

9
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas placed #9 among the best sports management schools. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 112 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Kansas earn around $33,891 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at University Of Kansas

10
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Florida awarded about 343 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Florida earn around $45,046 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $19,982 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for University Of Florida

11

The University Of Alabama landed the #11 spot for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The University Of Alabama awarded about 85 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $50,740 in their early career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at The University Of Alabama

12

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #12 spot for sports management this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $63,418 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

13
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University landed the #13 spot for sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. About 67% of students finish within six years. Rowan University awarded about 13 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Rowan University earn around $52,031 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,488. Get the full sports management details for Rowan University

14

The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #14 position for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 84 sports management students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $35,583 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

15

University Of Georgia earned the #15 position for sports management this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 178 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,359 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,250. Read more about the sports management program at University Of Georgia

16

Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for sports management this year. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Saint Louis University Main Campus earn around $65,599 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,316 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Saint Louis University Main Campus

17

University Of Arizona landed the #17 spot for sports management this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $50,834 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from University Of Arizona

18
Providence College crest
Providence College
Providence, RI

Providence College landed the #18 spot for sports management this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 sports management degrees were awarded at Providence College in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Providence College earn a median of $53,208 early in their careers. Providence College graduates carry a median of $26,833 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Providence College

19

Suny College At Oneonta ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 46 sports management degrees were awarded at Suny College At Oneonta in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $36,119 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,600. See the full sports management program report for Suny College At Oneonta

20

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best sports management schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 178 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,137. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Ohio State University Main Campus

21
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College came in at #21 for sports management this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 83 sports management degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Boston College earn a median of $51,092 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for Boston College

22

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates 79% of students within six years. About 357 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $37,903 in their early career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

23

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 96 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $36,050 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

24

University Of Connecticut came in at #24 for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Storrs. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $40,704. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. See the full sports management program report for University Of Connecticut

25

University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 141 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,419 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,227 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

Rest of the Top 50 Sports Management Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sports management ranking:

26
27
28
29
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
30
31
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC
32
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
33
34
35
36
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
37
38
39
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
40
41
42
43
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
44
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
45
46
47
48
49
50

Additional Sports Management Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for sports management this year:

Rank School Location
#51 Saint John Fisher College Rochester, NY
#52 Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ
#53 Elon University Elon, NC
#54 Utah State University Logan, UT
#55 Saint Marys College Of California Moraga, CA
#56 Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY
#57 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
#58 University Of North Florida Jacksonville, FL
#59 Gonzaga University Spokane, WA
#60 Clemson University Clemson, SC
#61 Washington State University Pullman, WA
#62 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
#63 Wagner College Staten Island, NY
#64 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
#65 California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA
#66 University Of Tulsa Tulsa, OK
#67 Suny College At Cortland Cortland, NY
#68 University Of Mississippi Main Campus University, MS
#69 Endicott College Beverly, MA
#70 Ball State University Muncie, IN
#71 Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX
#72 University Of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA
#73 Minnesota State University Mankato Mankato, MN
#74 University Of South Florida Main Campus Tampa, FL
#75 North Dakota State University Main Campus Fargo, ND

Honorable Mentions

A few more sports management schools worth a look:

>

Sports Management by Region

Explore the best sports management schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes
Outlying Areas

View All Rankings >

Explore other rankings in majors related to Sports Management. See all related rankings.

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 419 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options