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2027 Best Sports Management Schools in North Carolina

24 Colleges in the United States
895 Sports Management Degrees Awarded
$35,674 Avg Early-Career Salary

Sports Management degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools to find the best for sports management students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Sports Management in North Carolina

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Sports Management

1

Leading the list is North Carolina State University At Raleigh, our #1 school for sports management. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 149 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $33,717 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from North Carolina State University At Raleigh

2
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 sports management degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for High Point University

3

Elon University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 49 sports management degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Elon University earn around $21,440 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Elon University

4

Western Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports management, ranking #4. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 58 sports management degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $41,176. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from Western Carolina University

5
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Students looking for a strong sports management program will find one at Gardner Webb University, which ranked #5. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gardner Webb University awarded about 35 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Gardner Webb University earn around $63,220 in the first couple years of their career. Gardner Webb University graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Gardner Webb University

6
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 sports management degrees were awarded at Campbell University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $32,167. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. Get the full sports management details for Campbell University

7
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University placed #7 among the best sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wingate University awarded about 66 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Wingate University earn around $34,936 in the first couple years of their career. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Wingate University

8

North Carolina Wesleyan College earned the #8 position for sports management this year. Set in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. North Carolina Wesleyan College graduates 42% of students within six years. North Carolina Wesleyan College awarded about 14 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan College earn a median of $40,202 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,713. More information about a degree in sports management from North Carolina Wesleyan College

9

Fayetteville State University earned the #9 position for sports management this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Fayetteville. Fayetteville State University graduates 38% of students within six years. About 38 sports management degrees were awarded at Fayetteville State University in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $41,449 early in their careers. Fayetteville State University graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Fayetteville State University

10

Lenoir Rhyne University earned the #10 position for sports management this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 sports management degrees were awarded at Lenoir Rhyne University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Lenoir Rhyne University earn around $22,695 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for Lenoir Rhyne University

11

Belmont Abbey College placed #11 among the best sports management schools. Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belmont. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Belmont Abbey College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Belmont Abbey College earn around $27,739 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for Belmont Abbey College

12
Catawba College crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College came in at #12 for sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Catawba College graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Catawba College in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $27,305 early in their careers. Catawba College graduates carry a median of $26,703 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Catawba College

13

North Carolina A And T State University came in at #13 for sports management this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. North Carolina A And T State University graduates 57% of students within six years. About 138 sports management degrees were awarded at North Carolina A And T State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $26,498. Typical student debt for the program is $30,000. See the full sports management program report for North Carolina A And T State University

14

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #14 for sports management this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn around $25,623 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

15
Barton College crest
Barton College
Wilson, NC

Barton College came in at #15 for sports management this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Wilson. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Barton College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Barton College earn around $29,374 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in sports management from Barton College

16

Winston Salem State University came in at #16 for sports management this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 41 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Winston Salem State University in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $26,467 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Winston Salem State University

17
Methodist University crest
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University earned the #17 position for sports management this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Fayetteville. About 43% of students finish within six years. Methodist University awarded about 12 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Methodist University generally make around $28,270. Methodist University graduates carry a median of $30,124 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Methodist University

18
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC

Mount Olive College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Mount Olive. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mount Olive College awarded about 12 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $27,413 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,820 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Mount Olive College

19
Guilford College crest
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, Guilford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Guilford College graduates 46% of students within six years. About 18 sports management degrees were awarded at Guilford College in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Guilford College earn around $28,802 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 Guilford College

20

Queens University Of Charlotte ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Queens University Of Charlotte in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $59,654 in their early career. Queens University Of Charlotte graduates carry a median of $26,748 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Queens University Of Charlotte

21
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC

Pfeiffer University landed the #21 spot for sports management this year. Located in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 35% of students finish within six years. Pfeiffer University awarded about 15 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Pfeiffer University earn around $26,744 in the first couple years of their career. Pfeiffer University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Pfeiffer University

22

Elizabeth City State University landed the #22 spot for sports management this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 sports management degrees were awarded at Elizabeth City State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Elizabeth City State University earn around $26,821 in the first couple years of their career. Elizabeth City State University graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Elizabeth City State University

23

Johnson C Smith University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 34% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 sports management degrees were awarded at Johnson C Smith University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Johnson C Smith University earn around $29,678 in the first couple years of their career. Johnson C Smith University graduates carry a median of $34,078 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Johnson C Smith University

24
Livingstone College crest
Livingstone College
Salisbury, NC

Livingstone College came in at #24 for sports management this year. Livingstone College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. Livingstone College awarded about 17 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $21,427 in their early career. Livingstone College graduates carry a median of $35,000 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for Livingstone College

View All Sports Management Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 24 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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