Sports studies is a broad field that encompasses all sports related courses. It is a great choice for students who want a career in the sports industry, and anyone passionate about sports. Some colleges provide the best programs for sports studies.
Sports studies degrees provide a strong foundation in the history, sociology, psychology, and economics of sports.
It also teaches about the business aspects of sports, such as marketing, sponsorship, and event management. In addition, many sports studies programs offer internships with sports teams, leagues, and organizations that can give students valuable hands-on experience.
Whether you want to work in the sports industry or simply learn more about the world of sports, a sports studies degree can be a great way to achieve your goals.
Table of contents
- What degree is best for sports?
- Best Colleges for Sports Studies
- #1 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
- #2 Ohio State University
- #3 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- #4 University of Southern California
- #5 Indiana University – Bloomington
- #6 University of Texas at Austin
- #7 University of Notre Dame
- #8 University of Florida – Gainesville, Florida
- #9 University of Oregon – Eugene, Oregon
- #10 University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
- #11 Pennsylvania State University
- #12 Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
- #13 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- #14 The University of Tennessee
- #15 Pennsylvania State University – University Park, Pennsylvania
- FAQs
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What degree is best for sports?
There’s no single “best” degree for sports, but a Sports Studies degree is a great starting point! It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure in the sports world.
This degree goes beyond memorizing game rules. You’ll dive into the science of sports training, the business side of things (think sports marketing or management), and even the psychology of athletes. It’s all about combining your love of sports with practical skills you can use in many areas, like leadership, communication, and business.
Of course, depending on your dream job, there might be a more specific degree out there. For example, Athletic Training focuses on injury prevention and rehab, while Exercise Science delves deeper into human movement and performance.
The key is to figure out what area of sports excites you the most. Do you see yourself coaching future champions? Working behind the scenes in sports management? Once you have a better idea, you can explore specific degrees that align with your goals.
Read: 15 Best Sports Communication Colleges
Best Colleges for Sports Studies
These are the best sports studies in 2024.
#1 University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan is a highly-ranked public university with a reputable sports studies program. It is one of the best colleges for sports studies.
It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in sports management, sports psychology, and other sports programs.
Students learn from world-renowned faculty and intern with professional sports teams and organizations.
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Acceptance rate: 26%
Enrollment: 47,000
Cost: $58,076 (in-state); $69,154 (out-of-state)
Notable alumni: Tom Brady, Jim Harbaugh, Michael Phelps
#2 Ohio State University
Ohio State University is a public research university with a large student body and a strong athletic program.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in sports studies, as well as minors and certificate courses.
Students can also participate in the university’s many sports clubs and intramural teams.
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Acceptance rate: 53%
Enrollment: 57,700
Cost: $10,794 (in-state); $34,628 (out-of-state)
Notable alumni: Archie Griffin, Michael Jordan, Jesse Owens
Ohio State University is one of the best colleges for sports studies.
See: Best Small Colleges In Ohio | Apply Now
#3 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university with a highly respected sports studies program.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in sports administration, sport management, and sport and exercise science.
Students participate in the university’s many sports clubs and intramural teams.
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Acceptance rate: 30%
Enrollment: 31,700
Cost: $9,716 (in-state); $38,196 (out-of-state)
Notable alumni: Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Mia Hamm
#4 University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private research university with a world-renowned sports studies program.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in sports administration, sports management, and sports and entertainment business.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Acceptance rate: 15%
Enrollment: 46,600
Cost: $57,304 (in-state); $66,964 (out-of-state)
Notable alumni: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lynn Swann, Natalie Portman
#5 Indiana University – Bloomington
Indiana University – Bloomington is a public research university with a large student body and a strong athletic program.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in sports studies, as well as minors and certificate courses.
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Acceptance rate: 67%
Enrollment: 43,000
Cost: $9,554 (in-state); $34,534 (out-of-state)
Notable alumni: Larry Bird, Archie Griffin, Damon Bailey
#6 University of Texas at Austin
Location: Austin, Texas
The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university with a large student body and a strong athletic program.
The university offers undergraduate, and graduate degrees minors, and certificates in sports studies.
It is one of the best sports studies colleges in the world.
Acceptance rate: 38%
Enrollment: 51,000
Cost: $10,258 (in-state); $38,648 (out-of-state)
Notable alumni: Matthew McConaughey, Vince Young, Blake Griffin
#7 University of Notre Dame
Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
Acceptance rate: 21%
Enrollment: 13,500
Cost: $53,584 (in-state); $57,684 (out-of-state)
Notable alumni: Joe Montana, Rudy Ruettiger, Chris Zorich
The University of Notre Dame is one of the best colleges for sports studies that offers a minor.
The Sport, Media, and Culture minor at the University of Notre Dame gives students a comprehensive understanding of the intersection of sports, media, and culture. Also, this minor is interdisciplinary, drawing on coursework from the departments of American Studies, Film, Television, Theatre, and Sociology.
Students in the minor take courses on topics such as the history of sports, the sociology of sports, sports media, and sports and popular culture. They can also participate in internships with sports media organizations, sports teams, and other sports-related businesses. The minor is open to all undergraduate students, regardless of their major.
To be eligible to declare the minor, students must have completed at least 30 credits and have a GPA of at least 3.0. They must also complete four core courses in the minor, which include:
Introduction to Sport, Media, and Culture; History of Sports in America; Sociology of Sports and Sports Media. In addition to the core courses, students must also complete two elective courses in the minor. Elective courses offered in the minor cover a wide range of topics, such as:
Sports and Popular Culture, sports and Social Justice, sports and Business, and sports and Health. The Sport, Media, and Culture minor is a great option for students who are interested in a career in sports media, sports business, or sports management. The minor also provides students with a strong foundation in the history, sociology, and culture of sports.
See: 15 Best Colleges with Physical Education Majors in 2024
#8 University of Florida – Gainesville, Florida
The Department of Sport Management at the University of Florida offers a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management (BSPM) degree.
The program prepares students for careers in the sports industry, such as sports administration, sports marketing, and sports law. Students in the program take courses on topics such as sports history, sports sociology, sports psychology, sports finance, and sports law.
They also participate in internships with sports teams, leagues, and organizations. The program is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA).
To be eligible for the program, students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and have completed the following courses: English Composition, English Composition II, Mathematics I, Statistics, and Economics. The program takes four years to complete.
Students can also choose to complete the program in three years by taking summer courses or by taking more credits per semester.
The program costs approximately $25,000 per year for in-state students and $35,000 per year for out-of-state students.
#9 University of Oregon – Eugene, Oregon
The University of Oregon is a public research university. The university is located in Eugene, Oregon, which is known for its beautiful scenery and mild climate.
The sports studies program is highly regarded and offers students opportunities to learn about and participate in the sports industry.
The Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a concentration in Sports Business. The program costs approximately $35,000 per year for in-state students and $50,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Here are some notable alumni of the University of Oregon who have studied sports studies:
Troy Aikman is a former NFL quarterback who played for the Dallas Cowboys. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Dan Fouts is a former NFL quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers. He is a two-time NFL MVP and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Abby Wambach is a former US women’s soccer player who is the all-time leading scorer in international soccer. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a FIFA Women’s World Cup champion.
See Also: 14 Online Colleges In Oregon For International Students |
#10 University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university with a large student body. It is one of the best universities in 2024.
The University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia, which is known for its beautiful campus and vibrant downtown. The sports studies program at the University of Georgia is highly rated.
The Department of Kinesiology at the University of Georgia offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sport Management degree. The program takes four years to complete.
Also, the program costs approximately $10,000 per year for in-state students and $30,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Here are some notable alumni of the University of Georgia who have studied sports studies:
Herschel Walker is a former NFL running back who played for the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. He is a two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Vince Dooley is a former college football coach who served as the head coach of the University of Georgia Bulldogs from 1964 to 1988. He is a two-time national champion and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Stacy Dragila is a former Olympic gold medalist in the pole vault. She is a two-time Olympic champion and a member of the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame.
#11 Pennsylvania State University
Penn State is a public research university located in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The sports studies program at Penn State is highly regarded and offers students a variety of opportunities to learn about and participate in the sports industry.
The Department of Kinesiology at Penn State offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sport Management degree. This program takes four years to complete.
Students can also choose to complete the program in three years by taking summer courses or by taking more credits per semester. The program costs about $18,000 per year for in-state students and $37,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Here are some notable alumni of Penn State who have studied sports studies:
Troy Vincent is a former NFL safety who played for the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and New Orleans Saints. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Dana Holgorsen is the current head football coach at West Virginia University. He previously served as the head coach at West Virginia, Houston, and Oklahoma State.
#12 Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
Texas A&M University is a public research university located in College Station, Texas. The Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management (KNSM) at Texas A&M offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sport Management degree.
This program tuition costs $10,000 per year for in-state students and $28,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Some of the notable alumni of Texas A&M are:
Kevin Sumlin is the former head football coach at Texas A&M University and the University of Arizona. He previously served as the head coach at Houston and Texas Southern.
Jimbo Fisher is the current head football coach at Texas A&M University. He previously served as the head coach at Florida State University.
Kellen Mond is a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas A&M University.
#13 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public research university that is near the University of Illinois Arboretum.
The Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism (RST) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism with a concentration in Sport Management. The program costs $13,000 per year for in-state students and $33,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Some notable alumni include:
Terry Francona is the current manager of the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He managed the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies.
John Calipari is the current head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky. He served as the head coach at Memphis, UMass, and Kentucky.
Lisa Byington is a sportscaster for ESPN and ABC. She previously worked for Fox Sports and the Big Ten Network.
See: 10 Best Landscape Architecture Colleges 2024 | Scholarships
#14 The University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public research university with a large student body and a strong athletic program. The university is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, which is known for its beautiful campus and its vibrant downtown. The sports studies program at the University of Tennessee is highly regarded and offers students a variety of opportunities to learn about and participate in the sports industry.
The program costs approximately $10,000 per year for in-state students and $30,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Some of the notable alumni are:
Pat Summitt was the former head women’s basketball coach at the University of Tennessee. She is the all-time winning coach in NCAA Division I basketball history.
Phi Slamma Jamma is the nickname for the 1982-83 Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team. The team featured three future NBA players: Bernard King, Ernie Grunfeld, and Mike Jackson.
Al Wilson is a former NFL linebacker who played for the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
#15 Pennsylvania State University – University Park, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State University is a public research university located in University Park, Pennsylvania.
The program costs $18,000 per year for in-state students and $37,000 per year for out-of-state students.
Here are some notable alumni of Penn State who have studied sports studies:
Troy Vincent is a former NFL safety who played for the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and New Orleans Saints. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Dana Holgorsen is the current head football coach at West Virginia University. He previously served as the head coach at West Virginia, Houston, and Oklahoma State.
Lindsay Davenport is a former professional tennis player who is a former world No. 1. She won 10 Grand Slam singles titles and is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
FAQs
While salaries can vary, some of the highest-paying sports jobs are typically in professional sports leagues or for star athletes themselves. General Managers, star players in major leagues, and franchise owners can all earn millions.
A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Sports Management is a great choice for a well-rounded foundation in the business of sports. Some schools might also offer Master’s degrees in Sports Management for more specialized training.
Sports management is the business side of sports. It involves organizing events, marketing teams, and overseeing the financial aspects of sports organizations.
Conclusion
Sports studies is a dynamic and ever-changing field that offers students the opportunity to learn about and participate in a variety of sporting activities. We hope this article was helpful.
References
- Niche – Best Colleges for Sports Studies
- Universities.com – Best Colleges for Sports Studies
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