2026 Best Sports Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Sports Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for sports studies students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Sports Studies in the Southeast Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the sports studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Sports Studies
Tulane University Of Louisiana is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in sports studies. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 21 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the sports studies program make about $54,082 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,077 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sports studies from Tulane University Of Louisiana
Cumberland University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports studies, ranking #2. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Cumberland University awarded about 13 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from Cumberland University earn around $47,696 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,902 to complete this degree.
Read more about the sports studies program at Cumberland University
Students looking for a strong sports studies program will find one at Shenandoah University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 13 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data year. Sports Studies graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $37,676 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in sports studies from Shenandoah University
East Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports studies, ranking #4. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. East Carolina University awarded about 43 sports studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from East Carolina University earn around $38,488 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full sports studies program report for East Carolina University
Western Kentucky University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in sports studies, ranking #5. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 sports studies degrees were awarded at Western Kentucky University in the most recent year. Students who receive their sports studies degree from Western Kentucky University earn around $25,858 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,593.
Read more about the sports studies program at Western Kentucky University
Randolph College placed #6 among the best sports studies schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Randolph College in the most recent data year. Sports Studies graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,750.
Get the full sports studies details for Randolph College
Young Harris College came in at #7 for sports studies this year. Set in the rural area of Young Harris, Young Harris College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Young Harris College graduates 42% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 sports studies students who graduated with this degree at Young Harris College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $24,689.
Read more about the sports studies program at Young Harris College
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 schools evaluated.
- 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.
