Compare 613 Sports Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $42,331. Top programs: $73,106+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Sports Studies tells a different story. Across 613 programs, earnings range from $59,336 to $73,106—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Scranton's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $73,106, well above the $42,331 average. Pepperdine follows at $72,554, while Saint Louis University rounds out the top three at $72,217. These outcomes reflect program-specific strengths rather than institutional prestige alone.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice University graduates borrow $11,000 and face just a 3.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, University of Wisconsin-Parkside leads with a 12.3% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University Of ScrantonPrivate | $73,106 | 71 | $27,000 | Excellent | $41,370 | Challenging |
| #2 | Pepperdine UniversityPrivate | $72,554 | 67 | $23,510 | Excellent | $41,309 | Challenging |
| #3 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | $72,217 | 101 | $25,000 | Excellent | $34,177 | Manageable |
| #4 | $70,754 | 86 | $19,500 | Excellent | $40,025 | Challenging | |
| #5 | Wisconsin Lutheran CollegePrivate | $69,604 | 14 | $26,000 | Excellent | $28,443 | Manageable |
| #6 | University Of DelawarePublic | $69,499 | 201 | $24,572 | Excellent | $43,000 | Challenging |
| #7 | $68,944 | 270 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Manageable | |
| #8 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $68,083 | 70 | $21,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Manageable |
| #9 | Simmons UniversityPrivate | $67,028 | 35 | $24,840 | Excellent | $23,772 | Manageable |
| #10 | University Of New EnglandPrivate | $66,824 | 41 | $25,250 | Excellent | $29,675 | Challenging |
| #11 | Milligan UniversityPrivate | $65,830 | 28 | $25,219 | Excellent | $36,972 | Challenging |
| #12 | Depauw UniversityPrivate | $65,300 | 24 | $27,000 | Good | $35,134 | Challenging |
| #13 | Walsh UniversityPrivate | $64,683 | 24 | $27,000 | Good | $26,359 | Challenging |
| #14 | $62,261 | 32 | $20,492 | Excellent | $13,139 | Manageable | |
| #15 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $62,105 | 102 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Manageable |
| #16 | $62,053 | 37 | $21,096 | Excellent | $33,899 | Challenging | |
| #17 | $61,801 | 89 | $20,121 | Excellent | $23,000 | Manageable | |
| #18 | Carroll UniversityPrivate | $60,982 | 86 | $27,000 | Good | $32,186 | Challenging |
| #19 | $60,121 | 179 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $59,336 | 21 | $23,250 | Good | $18,989 | Manageable | |
| #21 | $59,290 | 384 | $21,500 | Good | $25,294 | Challenging | |
| #22 | Syracuse UniversityPrivate | $59,233 | 180 | $26,000 | Good | $39,841 | High |
| #23 | $59,208 | 132 | $22,763 | Good | $26,243 | Challenging | |
| #24 | $58,866 | 232 | $15,000 | Excellent | $20,820 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $58,500 | 98 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
