2027 Best Value Sports Studies Bachelor’s Degree 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for sports studies students.
What’s on this page:
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
Ball State University tops our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools in the United States. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $25,962. Sports Studies graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $35,500 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place for sports studies. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,170 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $32,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports studies will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $25,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Adams State College one of the best values for sports studies. Set in the town of Alamosa, Adams State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,824 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,944. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $21,451. 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.
A rank of #5 makes University Of The Cumberlands one of the best values for sports studies. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,875. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $22,630. Sports Studies graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $31,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western Michigan University earned the #6 position for value in sports studies this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #7 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,808 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $37,703 early in their careers. Set against $26,808 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $45,705. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Vermont Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Vermont Technical College earn a median of $41,822 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Cumberland University came in at #10 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,840. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $21,902. Sports Studies graduates of Cumberland University earn a median of $47,696 early in their careers. Set against $21,902 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Randolph College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,310. Students borrow a median of $23,750 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Randolph College admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Mary placed #12 among the best values for sports studies. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,000. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of $65,565 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #13 for value in sports studies 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, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,420. Sports Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $32,860 early in their careers. Set against $24,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Southern University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $8,637, 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. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #15 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $29,156 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Concordia University Saint Paul earn a median of $33,744 early in their careers. Set against $29,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Bethel College Mishawaka landed the #16 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Bethel College Mishawaka generally make around $26,799. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Huntington University placed #17 among the best values for sports studies. Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Huntington. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Huntington University admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sparkill. In-state tuition and fees average $39,450. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $44,519. That is a strong return on a $24,700 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Manhattanville College placed #19 among the best values for sports studies. Set in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,604. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,000. Sports Studies graduates of Manhattanville College earn a median of $25,592 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland earned the #20 position for value in sports studies this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,681 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $28,289. That is a strong return on a $25,681 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Iowa landed the #21 spot for sports studies value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $31,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University landed the #22 spot for sports studies value this year. Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Fayette. Students from in state pay about $19,475 in tuition and fees. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $25,641 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Upper Iowa University generally make around $35,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
Young Harris College placed #23 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,305. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $24,689. Median earnings reach $47,195 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Lake Erie College earned the #24 position for value in sports studies this year. Set in the suburb of Painesville, Lake Erie College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,634. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $28,250. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Lake Erie College generally make around $65,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Post University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $15,922 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $31,250. Sports Studies graduates of Post University earn a median of $29,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in sports studies:
Other Sports Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sports Studies rankings across degree levels:
View All Sports Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
