Compare 15 Sports Studies. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $41,516.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Sports Studies tells a different story. Across 15 programs, earnings range from $22,771 to $58,114—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
William & Mary's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $58,114, followed closely by Roanoke College at $58,080. The data challenges expectations—a private college with 80% acceptance competes directly with a highly selective public program. Both significantly outpace the Virginia average of $41,516.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. William & Mary graduates borrow $18,500 and face just a 7.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, making it the clear value leader.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | William & MaryPublic | $58,114 | 129 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,326 | Challenging |
| #2 | Roanoke CollegePrivate | $58,080 | 47 | $27,000 | Good | $40,178 | High |
| #3 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $56,742 | 252 | $20,093 | Good | $37,285 | High |
| #4 | Longwood UniversityPublic | $48,971 | 45 | $25,000 | Manageable | $36,395 | High |
| #5 | Bridgewater CollegePrivate | $48,591 | 50 | $26,000 | Manageable | $37,735 | High |
| #6 | Hampton UniversityPrivate | $46,421 | 66 | $25,442 | Manageable | $74,299 | High |
| #7 | Emory & Henry UniversityPrivate | $42,740 | 34 | $26,332 | Manageable | $32,472 | High |
| #8 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $41,591 | 154 | $24,500 | Manageable | $16,398 | High |
| #9 | Shenandoah UniversityPrivate | $37,676 | 17 | $25,000 | Challenging | $46,387 | High |
| #10 | Bluefield UniversityPrivate | $36,969 | 13 | $21,855 | Challenging | $21,200 | High |
| #11 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $34,900 | 67 | $19,500 | Challenging | $25,142 | High |
| #12 | $33,993 | 73 | $17,500 | Challenging | $28,903 | High | |
| #13 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $29,989 | 48 | $24,000 | High | $18,866 | High |
| #14 | Averett UniversityPrivate | $25,194 | 31 | $25,000 | High | $28,045 | High |
| #15 | Randolph CollegePrivate | $22,771 | 10 | $26,950 | High | $32,499 | 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 →
