Compare 646 Sports Studies. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $51,071. Top programs: $87,404+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Sports Studies tells a different story. Across 613 programs, earnings range from $59,336 to $73,106—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
University of Scranton's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $73,106, well above the $42,331 average. Pepperdine follows at $72,554, while Saint Louis University rounds out the top three at $72,217. These outcomes reflect program-specific strengths rather than institutional prestige alone.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Rice University graduates borrow $11,000 and face just a 3.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, University of Wisconsin-Parkside leads with a 12.3% family burden—proof that the best choice depends on who's paying.
| 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
