Compare 17 Sports Studies. programs in Missouri. Average earnings: $44,910.
The highest-earning Sports Studies program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $36K earnings gap across 17 programs in Missouri, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
Saint Louis University's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $72,217—60% above the $45K state average. Rockhurst University follows at $57K, while Truman State delivers $51K. This variation shows program quality, not school reputation, drives earning potential.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Saint Louis University graduates borrow $25,000 and face just a 6.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | $72,217 | 101 | $25,000 | Excellent | $34,177 | Manageable |
| #2 | Rockhurst UniversityPrivate | $56,849 | 26 | $18,250 | Excellent | $26,074 | Challenging |
| #3 | Truman State UniversityPublic | $50,959 | 104 | $21,000 | Good | $14,503 | Challenging |
| #4 | Evangel UniversityPrivate | $46,788 | 11 | $24,736 | Manageable | $20,473 | High |
| #5 | William Woods UniversityPrivate | $46,199 | 23 | $21,983 | Manageable | $13,469 | Challenging |
| #6 | $45,545 | 111 | $21,992 | Manageable | $15,092 | Challenging | |
| #7 | $45,532 | 33 | $22,000 | Manageable | $18,781 | High | |
| #8 | Missouri Baptist UniversityPrivate | $45,163 | 26 | $22,500 | Manageable | $17,265 | High |
| #9 | Lindenwood UniversityPrivate | $42,717 | 143 | $26,000 | Manageable | $18,445 | High |
| #10 | $42,716 | 37 | $19,174 | Manageable | $10,400 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $41,056 | 44 | $21,000 | Manageable | $14,000 | High | |
| #12 | $40,514 | 41 | $21,500 | Manageable | $15,000 | High | |
| #13 | Southwest Baptist UniversityPrivate | $39,445 | 36 | $20,957 | Manageable | $17,747 | High |
| #14 | Culver-Stockton CollegePrivate | $37,612 | 11 | $26,000 | Challenging | $29,500 | High |
| #15 | $37,566 | 45 | $19,968 | Challenging | $11,334 | High | |
| #16 | Missouri Valley CollegePrivate | $36,456 | 32 | $25,950 | High | $15,650 | High |
| #17 | Avila UniversityPrivate | $36,141 | 20 | $25,000 | High | $19,309 | 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 →
