2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sports studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Ball State University earned the #1 spot for value among sports studies schools in the Great Lakes Region. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $25,962. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $36,829. Set against $25,962 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Michigan University earned it the #2 place for sports studies. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,000. Sports Studies graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Bethel College Mishawaka one of the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Mishawaka, Bethel College Mishawaka is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Bethel College Mishawaka earn a median of $26,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Huntington University earned it the #4 place for sports studies. Located in the town of Huntington, Huntington University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,870. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $28,332 in student loans. 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.
Lake Erie College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. 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. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Lake Erie College generally make around $65,474. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lake Erie College admits about 70% of applicants.
Mckendree University came in at #6 for value in sports studies this year. Set in the suburb of Lebanon, Mckendree University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,740. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $31,259. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mckendree University admits about 72% of applicants.
Tiffin University came in at #7 for value in sports studies this year. Tiffin University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Tiffin. In-state tuition and fees average $34,790. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $36,557. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
John Carroll University placed #8 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of John Carroll University earn a median of $27,971 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Denison University placed #9 among the best values for sports studies. Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Granville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $25,360 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $39,797. Set against $25,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
