Compare 626 Sports Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $51,255. Top programs: $87,404+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Sports Studies tells a different story. Across 629 programs, earnings range from $17,950 to $87,404—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The school name on your diploma matters less than which program you choose within it.
Topping the list, Rice University's Sports Studies program delivers $87,404 in median earnings—well above the $51,198 average across all 629 programs. Emory University follows at $87,254, and the University of Virginia lands at $81,110. The presence of a public university in the top three reinforces the point: prestige alone doesn't predict program outcomes.
Earnings tell only half the story—debt burden tells the rest. Rice University graduates carry just $11,000 in student loans and face a 2.3% payment burden, earning an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating. When parent loans enter the picture, Rice still leads with a 10.9% family burden, landing in the 'Good' tier—meaning loan payments remain manageable for most households.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Rice UniversityPrivate | $87,404 | 104 | $11,000 | Excellent | $35,338 | Good |
| #2 | Emory UniversityPrivate | $87,254 | 90 | $18,250 | Excellent | $30,480 | Good |
| #3 | $81,110 | 95 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Good | |
| #4 | University Of ScrantonPrivate | $79,700 | 51 | $27,000 | Excellent | $41,370 | Manageable |
| #5 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $79,599 | 75 | $21,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Manageable |
| #6 | $79,411 | 263 | $19,500 | Excellent | $30,250 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Manhattan UniversityPrivate | $78,264 | 16 | $26,000 | Excellent | $56,630 | Challenging |
| #8 | Seton Hall UniversityPrivate | $77,835 | 44 | $22,750 | Excellent | $40,003 | Manageable |
| #9 | Carroll UniversityPrivate | $77,095 | 111 | $27,000 | Excellent | $32,186 | Manageable |
| #10 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | $77,066 | 99 | $25,000 | Excellent | $34,177 | Manageable |
| #11 | Simmons UniversityPrivate | $76,569 | 23 | $24,840 | Excellent | $23,772 | Manageable |
| #12 | University Of DelawarePublic | $76,478 | 210 | $24,572 | Excellent | $43,000 | Challenging |
| #13 | $74,963 | 186 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #14 | Lebanon Valley CollegePrivate | $74,429 | 77 | $27,000 | Excellent | $42,888 | Challenging |
| #15 | $73,870 | 109 | $20,000 | Excellent | $29,387 | Manageable | |
| #16 | Chatham UniversityPrivate | $73,633 | 25 | $23,250 | Excellent | $31,699 | Manageable |
| #17 | $73,289 | 29 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,324 | Manageable | |
| #18 | $73,238 | 158 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Manageable | |
| #19 | $72,724 | 28 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,448 | Manageable | |
| #20 | Wittenberg UniversityPrivate | $72,289 | 32 | $27,000 | Excellent | $34,146 | Challenging |
| #21 | $71,844 | 369 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Manageable | |
| #22 | Depauw UniversityPrivate | $71,696 | 20 | $27,000 | Excellent | $35,134 | Challenging |
| #23 | $71,589 | 169 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Manageable | |
| #24 | Miami University-OxfordPublic | $70,919 | 260 | $23,000 | Excellent | $34,512 | Manageable |
| #25 | William & MaryPublic | $68,992 | 112 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,326 | Manageable |
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 May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
