2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for sports studies students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Kentucky University the best value for a degree in sports studies in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,593 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $25,858. Set against $24,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of The Cumberlands one of the best values for sports studies. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,875. Students borrow a median of $22,630 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $31,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in sports studies will find it at Cumberland University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,840. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $21,902. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $47,696. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Randolph College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit institution. 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. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Kentucky one of the best values for sports studies. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of University Of Kentucky earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Young Harris College landed the #6 spot for sports studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,305 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,689 to complete the sports studies program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,195 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Young Harris College admits about 63% of applicants.
Barry University earned the #7 position for value in sports studies this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,350. Students borrow a median of $31,180 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Barry University generally make around $64,906. That is a strong return on a $31,180 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
United States Sports Academy placed #8 among the best values for sports studies. United States Sports Academy is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Daphne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,700. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $62,592. United States Sports Academy admits about 61% of applicants.
Methodist University placed #9 among the best values for sports studies. Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,250. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $30,124 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Methodist University generally make around $28,270. That is a strong return on a $30,124 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Shenandoah University earned the #10 position for value in sports studies this year. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,950. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Sports Studies graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $37,676 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Sports Studies graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $53,507 early in their careers. Set against $22,077 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
