Compare 198 Sports Studies. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $43,461.
With top graduates earning $72,217, Sports Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $29K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Saint Louis University's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $72,217, well above the $43,461 average across 198 Midwest programs. Wisconsin Lutheran College follows at $69,604, while the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor delivers $68,944—demonstrating that strong outcomes aren't limited to the most selective institutions.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Michigan graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 5.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. At Saint Louis University, students face 6.9% burden despite higher borrowing, proving loan payments take minimal bites from 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 | Wisconsin Lutheran CollegePrivate | $69,604 | 14 | $26,000 | Excellent | $28,443 | Manageable |
| #3 | $68,944 | 270 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Manageable | |
| #4 | Depauw UniversityPrivate | $65,300 | 24 | $27,000 | Good | $35,134 | Challenging |
| #5 | Walsh UniversityPrivate | $64,683 | 24 | $27,000 | Good | $26,359 | Challenging |
| #6 | $62,261 | 32 | $20,492 | Excellent | $13,139 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Carroll UniversityPrivate | $60,982 | 86 | $27,000 | Good | $32,186 | Challenging |
| #8 | $60,121 | 179 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $58,500 | 98 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $58,378 | 71 | $20,482 | Excellent | $28,767 | Challenging | |
| #11 | $57,821 | 8 | $18,442 | Excellent | $10,030 | Good | |
| #12 | University Of KansasPublic | $57,522 | 180 | $21,000 | Good | $32,347 | Challenging |
| #13 | Rockhurst UniversityPrivate | $56,849 | 26 | $18,250 | Excellent | $26,074 | Challenging |
| #14 | $56,819 | 45 | $22,024 | Good | $22,127 | Challenging | |
| #15 | University Of EvansvillePrivate | $55,141 | 36 | $24,606 | Good | $26,848 | Challenging |
| #16 | $54,452 | 75 | $19,500 | Good | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #17 | University Of DaytonPrivate | $54,248 | 28 | $23,250 | Good | $43,810 | High |
| #18 | Iowa State UniversityPublic | $53,773 | 238 | $22,869 | Good | $25,950 | Challenging |
| #19 | $53,754 | 160 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Challenging | |
| #20 | $53,550 | 20 | $21,325 | Good | $28,694 | Challenging | |
| #21 | $53,337 | 88 | $19,500 | Good | $29,448 | Challenging | |
| #22 | $53,316 | 31 | $24,990 | Good | $29,300 | High | |
| #23 | $53,142 | 347 | $19,509 | Good | $32,850 | High | |
| #24 | $52,910 | 339 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #25 | $52,779 | 35 | $25,251 | Good | $20,764 | 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 →
