by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 4 schools to find the best return on investment for sports studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Erie Community College, our #1 best value for sports studies in New York. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Saint Thomas Aquinas College one of the best values for sports studies. 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. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of $44,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Students looking for strong value in sports studies will find it at Manhattanville College, which ranked #3. Manhattanville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Purchase. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,604. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Manhattanville College generally make around $38,197. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Manhattanville College admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in sports studies will find it at Suny College At Cortland, which ranked #4. 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. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $37,691. Set against $25,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.