175 Best Public Sports & Recreation Universities in the USA

Compare 514 programs at 175 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 514 Universities 175 Scholarships 146

175 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York, New York · Public University · Est. 1961

US #96 ROI A Admissions open

Tuition: USD 15,185/yr
Admission rate: 68%
Earnings (10yr): $65,991
Students: 3,254

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The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana · Public University · Est. 1893

US #99 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $16,784/yr
Admission rate: 96%
Earnings (10yr): $44,511
Students: 7,488

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George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia · Public University · Est. 1957

US #100 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $17,915/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $76,343
Students: 27,752

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Western Oregon University

Monmouth, Oregon · Public University · Est. 1856

US #101 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,237/yr
Admission rate: 98%
Earnings (10yr): $51,815
Students: 3,103

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University of Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska · Public University · Est. 1954

US #102 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $15,301/yr
Earnings (10yr): $51,871
Students: 7,212

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University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota · Public University · Est. 1883

US #104 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $18,551/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $63,552
Students: 9,981

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University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee · Public University · Est. 1912

US #106 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $12,397/yr
Admission rate: 72%
Earnings (10yr): $48,458
Students: 12,701

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University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama · Public University · Est. 1969

US #111 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $18,749/yr
Admission rate: 88%
Earnings (10yr): $54,501
Students: 11,635

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University of Toledo

Toledo, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1872

US #112 ROI D Admissions open

Net price: $17,249/yr
Admission rate: 92%
Earnings (10yr): $50,632
Students: 9,770

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Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona · Public University · Est. 1899

US #118 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $14,158/yr
Admission rate: 90%
Earnings (10yr): $54,384
Students: 22,903

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Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon · Public University · Est. 1856

US #119 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $19,604/yr
Admission rate: 77%
Earnings (10yr): $64,010
Students: 30,743

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Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina · Public University · Est. 1889

US #120 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $22,253/yr
Admission rate: 38%
Earnings (10yr): $71,513
Students: 23,300

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University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas · Public University · Est. 1871

US #122 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $18,209/yr
Admission rate: 74%
Earnings (10yr): $58,191
Students: 28,677

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Florida International University

Miami, Florida · Public University · Est. 1965

US #123 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $9,288/yr
Admission rate: 55%
Earnings (10yr): $60,249
Students: 39,508

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Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

Bend, Oregon · Public University · Est. 2001

US #124 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $18,048/yr
Admission rate: 63%
Earnings (10yr): $64,010
Students: 1,044

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Missouri State University-Springfield

Springfield, Missouri · Public University · Est. 1905

US #125 ROI D Admissions open

Net price: $17,613/yr
Admission rate: 91%
Earnings (10yr): $49,827
Students: 13,313

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University of North Texas

Denton, Texas · Public University · Est. 1890

US #127 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $15,649/yr
Admission rate: 72%
Earnings (10yr): $57,010
Students: 34,341

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University of Maine

Orono, Maine · Public University · Est. 1865

US #131 ROI D Admissions open

Net price: $17,510/yr
Admission rate: 97%
Earnings (10yr): $48,653
Students: 8,496

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Youngstown State University

Youngstown, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1908

US #132 ROI F Admissions open

Net price: $12,767/yr
Admission rate: 84%
Earnings (10yr): $41,544
Students: 7,961

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University of Idaho

Moscow, Idaho · Public University · Est. 1889

US #137 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $14,831/yr
Admission rate: 76%
Earnings (10yr): $54,670
Students: 7,747

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Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan · Public University · Est. 1903

US #138 ROI D Admissions open

Net price: $15,273/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $53,562
Students: 12,568

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Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, Illinois · Public University · Est. 1869

US #142 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $13,297/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $53,390
Students: 8,494

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University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

Durham, New Hampshire · Public University · Est. 1866

US #143 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $23,805/yr
Admission rate: 88%
Earnings (10yr): $66,479
Students: 11,261

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University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado · Public University · Est. 1876

US #144 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $25,346/yr
Admission rate: 78%
Earnings (10yr): $69,738
Students: 31,939

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What this subject pays

Graduates of Sports & Recreation programmes report a median $30,228 two years after finishing, across 64 programmes that publish the figure , against median debt of $22,500.

Sports & Recreation pay by degree level →

Sports & Recreation at other levels

Bachelor's Sports & Recreation Diploma Sports & Recreation Master's Sports & Recreation PhD Sports & Recreation Professional Sports & Recreation

Related subjects

Exercise Science Recreation Management

By state

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By university type

All Sports & Recreation universities Private Sports & Recreation universities

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for public Sports & Recreation universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include CUNY Graduate School and University Center, The University of Montana, George Mason University. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study public Sports & Recreation universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying public Sports & Recreation universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About public Sports & Recreation universities in the USA

This page lists public Sports & Recreation universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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