2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools
[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 53 schools to find the best return on investment for sports studies students.
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Finding the Best Value Sports Studies School for You
The right sports studies school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Sports Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Sports Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
For return on investment in sports studies, no school beat Arizona State University this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $21,170. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $41,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Ball State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $25,962. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $36,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arizona earned it the #3 place for sports studies. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,593. Sports Studies graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $25,858 early in their careers. Set against $24,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports studies will find it at Erie Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Adams State College came in at #6 for value in sports studies this year. Adams State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alamosa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,824, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $21,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Adams State College generally make around $30,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #7 for value in sports studies this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $22,630 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $31,401 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,630 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #8 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $48,966. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #9 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,808. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $37,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado placed #10 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,500. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $45,705 early in their careers. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #11 for value in sports studies this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Randolph College earned the #12 position for value in sports studies this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,310 in tuition and fees. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $23,750 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Vermont Technical College came in at #13 for value in sports studies this year. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,952 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,296. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,208. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $41,822. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lebanon. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $21,902. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $47,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #15 position for value in sports studies this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Mary placed #16 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,356. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #17 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $42,512. That is a strong return on a $24,420 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Texas Southern University landed the #18 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,473. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $30,000. Sports Studies graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $32,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul earned the #19 position for value in sports studies this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $29,156. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $39,033. Set against $29,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #20 spot for sports studies value this year. Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mishawaka. In-state tuition and fees average $34,600. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $26,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Huntington University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,870. Students borrow a median of $28,332 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Huntington University earn a median of $49,079 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,332 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,488. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $52,031. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College earned the #23 position for value in sports studies this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,450. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,700. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Saint Thomas Aquinas College generally make around $44,519. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Thomas Aquinas College admits about 93% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,681 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $37,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Manhattanville College came in at #25 for value in sports studies this year. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,604 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,000. Sports Studies graduates of Manhattanville College earn a median of $38,197 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Sports Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s sports studies value ranking:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Sports Studies. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 53 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
