2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in Kentucky

[Sports Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/sports-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports studies students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in Kentucky
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sports Studies Schools
Western Kentucky University earned the #1 spot for value among sports studies schools in Kentucky. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,593 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $25,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The Cumberlands came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,875. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $22,630 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $31,401. That is a strong return on a $22,630 median debt. University Of The Cumberlands admits about 99% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Kentucky earned it the #3 place for sports studies. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $49,568. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% 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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.