2026 Best Sports Management Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Our analysis ranked Pepperdine University the best school in the country for a degree in sports management. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Pepperdine University awarded about 21 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $34,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,336. Get the full sports management details for Pepperdine University

2

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports management, ranking #2. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 79 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,342 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,905. See the full sports management program report for University Of San Francisco

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for a strong sports management program will find one at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. California State University Long Beach awarded about 53 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $35,753 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,551 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for California State University Long Beach

4

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports management, ranking #4. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Central Washington University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Central Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $48,410 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,848 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Central Washington University

5

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

Saint Marys College Of California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports management, ranking #5. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 17 sports management degrees were awarded at Saint Marys College Of California in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Saint Marys College Of California earn around $49,447 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $24,300 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from Saint Marys College Of California

6

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #6 position for sports management this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 66 sports management degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Washington State University earn around $30,815 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,981 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Washington State University

7

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University came in at #7 for sports management this year. Located in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Lutheran University awarded about 19 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from California Lutheran University earn around $33,818 in the first couple years of their career. California Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at California Lutheran University

8

Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University earned the #8 position for sports management this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 54 sports management degrees were awarded at Gonzaga University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Gonzaga University earn around $40,897 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Gonzaga University

9

Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 247 sports management degrees were awarded at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Concordia University Irvine generally make around $43,152. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in sports management from Concordia University Irvine

10

Menlo College
Atherton, CA

Menlo College earned the #10 position for sports management this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Atherton. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 14 sports management degrees were awarded at Menlo College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $60,211 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,686. See the full sports management program report for Menlo College

11

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Lakewood, WA

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom came in at #11 for sports management this year. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public school located in the city of Lakewood. Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom awarded about 23 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn around $39,975 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,154. See the full sports management program report for Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom

12

Linfield College
McMinnville, OR

Linfield College placed #12 among the best sports management schools. Set in the town of McMinnville, Linfield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 25 sports management degrees were awarded at Linfield College in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $31,285 in their early career. Linfield College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Linfield College

13

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #13 position for sports management this year. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. About 39% of students finish within six years. University Of Alaska Fairbanks awarded about 11 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $50,963 in their early career. University Of Alaska Fairbanks graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for University Of Alaska Fairbanks

14

Ashford University
San Diego, CA

Ashford University earned the #14 position for sports management this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Ashford University is a very large private for-profit university. Ashford University graduates 10% of students within six years. Ashford University awarded about 17 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Ashford University earn a median of $44,513 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $38,750. Read more about the sports management program at Ashford University