2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Southwest Region

[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.
College Factual analyzed 5 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value sports studies schools.
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2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Our analysis ranked Arizona State University the best value for a degree in sports studies in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $21,170 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $41,428. Set against $21,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Southern University earned it the #2 place for sports studies. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $30,000. Sports Studies graduates of Texas Southern University earn a median of $32,409 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Southern University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Lubbock Christian University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,540. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $46,359. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Ottawa University Surprise came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Set in the suburb of Surprise, Ottawa University Surprise is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,880. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $30,426. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Ottawa University Surprise admits about 78% of applicants.
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.