2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong sports studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports studies students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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 Erie Community College this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,450. Students borrow a median of $24,700 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $44,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in sports studies will find it at Manhattanville College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,604. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $38,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Sports Studies graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $37,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Rowan University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. 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. Sports Studies graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for value in sports studies this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $46,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Immaculata University earned the #7 position for value in sports studies this year. Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Immaculata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,980. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Immaculata University generally make around $64,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Temple University landed the #8 spot for sports studies value this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $54,642. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #9 among the best values for sports studies. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $24,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
