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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sports studies students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sports studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in sports studies, no school beat Upper Iowa University this year. Set in the rural area of Fayette, Upper Iowa University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,475. Typical student debt for sports studies graduates is $25,641. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $35,361. Set against $25,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Iowa is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sports studies, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $32,737. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Dubuque one of the best values for sports studies. Located in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,095. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $27,560 in student loans. Early-career sports studies graduates make about $53,808. That is a strong return on a $27,560 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Ambrose University earned it the #4 place for sports studies. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Sports Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sports studies degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $57,252. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.