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2027 Best Sports Management Schools in the Great Lakes Region

78 Colleges in the United States
2,871 Sports Management Degrees Awarded
$36,747 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sports Management degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their sports management programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 78 schools to find the best for sports management students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Sports Management in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall sports management education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Sports Management

1

Northwestern University tops our 2027 ranking of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 57 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Northwestern University earn around $58,537 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from Northwestern University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 208 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $42,490 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,135 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the top schools for sports management. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 178 sports management degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $42,137 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,000. Read more about the sports management program at Ohio State University Main Campus

4

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 32 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $29,866 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in sports management from University Of Wisconsin Madison

5

Students looking for a strong sports management program will find one at Miami University Oxford, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 173 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $42,958. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Miami University Oxford

6

University Of Dayton ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $38,011. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for University Of Dayton

7

Ohio University Main Campus placed #7 among the best sports management schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 89 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $45,420 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in sports management from Ohio University Main Campus

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 for sports management this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 187 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $40,569 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,625. Read more about the sports management program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

9

Ball State University landed the #9 spot for sports management this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Ball State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Ball State University in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,829 early in their careers. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Ball State University

10
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #10 for sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 20 sports management degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Elmhurst College earn a median of $31,538 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375. Read more about the sports management program at Elmhurst College

11
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University earned the #11 position for sports management this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. About 71% of students finish within six years. Carroll University awarded about 22 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $33,333. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in sports management from Carroll University

12

University Of Southern Indiana placed #12 among the best sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern Indiana awarded about 46 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $40,508. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for University Of Southern Indiana

13

Kent State University At Kent ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 60 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $36,030 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full sports management program report for Kent State University At Kent

14

Grand Valley State University came in at #14 for sports management this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 54 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $29,913 early in their careers. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $26,300 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Grand Valley State University

15
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University landed the #15 spot for sports management this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 21 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $28,856 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for Lewis University

16

Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 50 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $31,919 early in their careers. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,024 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

17

Siena Heights University came in at #17 for sports management this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Siena Heights University awarded about 15 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Siena Heights University generally make around $52,293. Siena Heights University graduates carry a median of $25,790 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Siena Heights University

18

Wayne State University came in at #18 for sports management this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Detroit. About 58% of students finish within six years. About 70 sports management degrees were awarded at Wayne State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $45,568. Wayne State University graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Wayne State University

19
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University placed #19 among the best sports management schools. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 69 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Xavier University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Xavier University earn around $30,476 in the first couple years of their career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Xavier University

20
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL

North Central College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 sports management students who graduated with this degree at North Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from North Central College generally make around $34,609. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for North Central College

21
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH

Wittenberg University landed the #21 spot for sports management this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Springfield. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 sports management degrees were awarded at Wittenberg University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Wittenberg University earn around $40,093 in the first couple years of their career. Wittenberg University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Wittenberg University

22
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #22 position for sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 26 sports management degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $37,256 early in their careers. Aurora University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Aurora University

23
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH

John Carroll University came in at #23 for sports management this year. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 10 sports management students who graduated with this degree at John Carroll University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from John Carroll University earn around $27,971 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the sports management program at John Carroll University

24
Madonna University crest
Madonna University
Livonia, MI

Madonna University landed the #24 spot for sports management this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Livonia. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 19 sports management degrees were awarded at Madonna University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Madonna University generally make around $56,984. Students borrow a median of $26,896 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Madonna University

25

Eastern Illinois University earned the #25 position for sports management this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 sports management degrees were awarded at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,776 in their early career. Eastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from Eastern Illinois University

Rest of the Top 50 Sports Management Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong sports management education:

26
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
27
28
29
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
30
31
32
Otterbein University crest
Otterbein University
Westerville, OH
33
34
35
36
Valparaiso University crest
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN
37
38
Carthage College crest
Carthage College
Kenosha, WI
39
40
41
42
Eureka College crest
Eureka College
Eureka, IL
43
44
Lakeland College crest
Lakeland College
Plymouth, WI
45
Trine University crest
Trine University
Angola, IN
46
Hiram College crest
Hiram College
Hiram, OH
47
48
49
Walsh University crest
Walsh University
North Canton, OH
50
Adrian College crest
Adrian College
Adrian, MI

Narrow Sports Management Schools by State

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 78 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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