Compare 9 Sports Studies. programs in Alabama. Average earnings: $34,697.
The highest-earning Sports Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $23K earnings gap across 9 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Auburn University At Montgomery's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $48,465, well above the state average of $34,697. Samford University follows at $42,413, while Troy University rounds out the top three at $39,776—proving that regional publics compete effectively in this field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Auburn University At Montgomery graduates borrow $25,000 and face just a 13.2% payment burden, landing in the 'Manageable' category. But when parent loans are included, families face a 20.4% burden, showing the math changes based on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $48,465
Strong outcomes ($48,465) with 93% acceptance
13.2% payment burden | Manageable
20.4% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $48,465 | 38 | $25,000 | Manageable | $11,809 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Samford UniversityPrivate | $42,413 | 28 | $19,500 | Manageable | $39,000 | High |
| #3 | Troy UniversityPublic | $39,776 | 135 | $25,000 | Challenging | $13,842 | High |
| #4 | University Of MontevalloPublic | $37,860 | 31 | $24,000 | Challenging | $23,233 | High |
| #5 | Huntingdon CollegePrivate | $33,761 | 55 | $27,000 | High | $33,075 | High |
| #6 | $29,714 | 82 | $22,077 | High | $18,000 | High | |
| #7 | $27,788 | 37 | $20,705 | High | $20,297 | High | |
| #8 | University Of MobilePrivate | $26,785 | 19 | $26,500 | High | $26,500 | High |
| #9 | Faulkner UniversityPrivate | $25,710 | 18 | $23,000 | High | $14,000 | High |
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 →
