Compare 7 Sports Studies. programs in Arkansas. Average earnings: $40,964.
With top graduates earning $53,747, Sports Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $13K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Harding University's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $53,747, followed by University of Arkansas at $50,455. The average across Arkansas programs is $41,000, demonstrating significant variation even within a single state. This $33K earnings spread between top and bottom programs shows why program-level evaluation matters.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Arkansas graduates borrow $21,500 and face a 10.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. For families including parent loans, Arkansas State offers the best value with a 21.9% family burden—manageable compared to other programs where parent debt pushes families into high-risk territory.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Harding UniversityPrivate | $53,747 | 40 | $26,500 | Good | $27,785 | High |
| #2 | University Of ArkansasPublic | $50,455 | 175 | $21,500 | Good | $28,086 | High |
| #3 | $43,288 | 79 | $20,500 | Manageable | $11,000 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $43,218 | 71 | $20,346 | Manageable | $16,180 | High | |
| #5 | Ouachita Baptist UniversityPrivate | $40,765 | 17 | $21,050 | Manageable | $27,385 | High |
| #6 | $35,133 | 26 | $18,750 | Challenging | $10,771 | High | |
| #7 | Philander Smith UniversityPrivate | $20,140 | 11 | $24,736 | High | $14,370 | 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 →
