by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sports studies schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sports studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Randolph College the best value for a degree in sports studies in Virginia. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,310 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $23,750. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $43,197. Set against $23,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Shenandoah University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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 · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.