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2027 Best Sports Management Schools in the The Plains States Region

51 Colleges in the United States
1,413 Sports Management Degrees Awarded
$39,940 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.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools to find the best for sports management students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Sports Management in the The Plains States Region

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
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sports management. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 112 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent 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. Get the full sports management details for University Of Kansas

2

Saint Louis University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports management, ranking #2. Located in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $65,599 in their early career. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,316 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from Saint Louis University Main Campus

3

Students looking for a strong sports management program will find one at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 96 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,050 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

4
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports management, ranking #4. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 180 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $32,737. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for University Of Iowa

5

University Of Northern Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in sports management, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $37,954 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at University Of Northern Iowa

6

Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #6 spot for sports management this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 63 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $42,512. Typical student debt for the program is $24,420. Read more about the sports management program at Minnesota State University Mankato

7

North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for sports management this year. This large public university is located in the city of Fargo. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 sports management students who graduated with this degree at North Dakota State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $36,646 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the sports management program at North Dakota State University Main Campus

8

Missouri State University Springfield ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 19 sports management degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $29,761 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,876. Get the full sports management details for Missouri State University Springfield

9

Augustana College South Dakota came in at #9 for sports management this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Sioux Falls. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Augustana College South Dakota awarded about 35 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Augustana College South Dakota earn around $50,088 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for Augustana College South Dakota

10

Maryville University Of Saint Louis earned the #10 position for sports management this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, Maryville University Of Saint Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates 66% of students within six years. About 32 sports management degrees were awarded at Maryville University Of Saint Louis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Maryville University Of Saint Louis generally make around $32,480. Maryville University Of Saint Louis graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Maryville University Of Saint Louis

11

University Of Missouri St Louis ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 20 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri St Louis in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $53,079 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,943 to complete this degree. See the full sports management program report for University Of Missouri St Louis

12
Bellevue University crest
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University landed the #12 spot for sports management this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Bellevue. Bellevue University graduates 33% of students within six years. There were roughly 28 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Bellevue University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Bellevue University generally make around $33,229. Bellevue University graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Bellevue University

13

Saint Ambrose University earned the #13 position for sports management this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Davenport. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 15 sports management degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $26,608 in their early career. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Saint Ambrose University

14

Midamerica Nazarene University landed the #14 spot for sports management this year. Located in the suburb of Olathe, Midamerica Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Midamerica Nazarene University awarded about 12 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $63,799 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,740. Read more about the sports management program at Midamerica Nazarene University

15
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, IA

Simpson College landed the #15 spot for sports management this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Indianola. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Simpson College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports management program make about $38,158 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in sports management from Simpson College

16

University Of Central Missouri earned the #16 position for sports management this year. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. University Of Central Missouri graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 47 sports management students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Missouri in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports management degree from University Of Central Missouri earn around $39,975 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Central Missouri graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full sports management details for University Of Central Missouri

17

Westminster College Missouri landed the #17 spot for sports management this year. Westminster College Missouri is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Fulton. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Westminster College Missouri awarded about 11 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Westminster College Missouri generally make around $37,667. Westminster College Missouri graduates carry a median of $26,170 in student loans. See the full sports management program report for Westminster College Missouri

18

Wichita State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. This large public university is located in the city of Wichita. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $34,774. Wichita State University graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Read more about the sports management program at Wichita State University

19
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University earned the #19 position for sports management this year. Located in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Grand View University earn a median of $43,236 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for Grand View University

20

Northwestern College Minnesota ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best sports management schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Paul, Northwestern College Minnesota is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Northwestern College Minnesota graduates 68% of students within six years. About 11 sports management degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Minnesota in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports management degree from Northwestern College Minnesota earn around $30,176 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern College Minnesota graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. More information about a degree in sports management from Northwestern College Minnesota

21

Bemidji State University earned the #21 position for sports management this year. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. About 46% of students finish within six years. Bemidji State University awarded about 12 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $32,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,898 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Bemidji State University

22

Southeast Missouri State University earned the #22 position for sports management this year. This large public university is located in the city of Cape Girardeau. About 58% of students finish within six years. Southeast Missouri State University awarded about 17 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $34,638 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,572. Get the full sports management details for Southeast Missouri State University

23
Waldorf College crest
Waldorf College
Forest City, IA

Waldorf College ranked #23 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 Forest City. Waldorf College graduates 24% of students within six years. Waldorf College awarded about 12 sports management degrees in the most recent data year. Sports Management graduates of Waldorf College earn a median of $63,346 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,622 to complete this degree. Read more about the sports management program at Waldorf College

24
North Central University crest
North Central University
Minneapolis, MN

North Central University earned the #24 position for sports management this year. North Central University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Minneapolis. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 10 sports management degrees were awarded at North Central University in the most recent year. Sports Management graduates of North Central University earn a median of $39,190 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,496 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in sports management from North Central University

25

University Of Nebraska At Kearney landed the #25 spot for sports management this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kearney. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 16 sports management degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Kearney in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, sports management degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Kearney generally make around $34,385. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. Get the full sports management details for University Of Nebraska At Kearney

Rest of the Top 50 Sports Management Schools

These schools also placed among the best for sports management this year:

26
27
28
Baker University crest
Baker University
Baldwin City, KS
29
30
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA
31
Loras College crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA
32
33
34
35
Evangel University crest
Evangel University
Springfield, MO
36
Lindenwood University crest
Lindenwood University
Saint Charles, MO
37
38
39
Midland University crest
Midland University
Fremont, NE
40
41
Clarke University crest
Clarke University
Dubuque, IA
42
Southwestern College crest
Southwestern College
Winfield, KS
43
Crown College crest
Crown College
Saint Bonifacius, MN
44
University Of Saint Mary crest
University Of Saint Mary
Leavenworth, KS
45
46
47
48
49
50

View All Sports Management Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 51 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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