2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports studies students.
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2027 Best Value Sports Studies Schools in the The Plains States 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 Northwest Missouri State University the best value for a degree in sports studies in the The Plains States Region. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mary earned it the #2 place for sports studies. Set in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,356 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $65,565. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Minnesota State University Mankato earned it the #3 place for sports studies. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $24,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $42,512. Set against $24,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Concordia University Saint Paul one of the best values for sports studies. Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,600. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $29,156. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $39,033. That is a strong return on a $29,156 median debt. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
Upper Iowa University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,475. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $25,641. Sports Studies graduates of Upper Iowa University earn a median of $35,361 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Upper Iowa University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value sports studies schools. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the sports studies program here. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $32,737. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Saint Mary earned the #7 position for value in sports studies this year. Set in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,380. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,946 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $29,151. That is a strong return on a $27,946 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Dubuque landed the #8 spot for sports studies value this year. University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Dubuque. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,560. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $53,808. Set against $27,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dubuque admits about 89% of applicants.
Saint Ambrose University placed #9 among the best values for sports studies. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,658. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the sports studies program here. Sports Studies graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $57,252 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mcpherson College placed #10 among the best values for sports studies. Mcpherson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of McPherson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,146. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $27,000. Sports Studies graduates of Mcpherson College earn a median of $42,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mcpherson College admits about 77% of applicants.
Ottawa University Ottawa came in at #11 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the town of Ottawa, Ottawa University Ottawa is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,880. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $30,426. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern College came in at #12 for value in sports studies this year. Located in the town of Winfield, Southwestern College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,822. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $31,875. Sports Studies graduates of Southwestern College earn a median of $58,036 early in their careers. Set against $31,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
