by our College Data Analytics TeamSports Management was the 48th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 16,971 degrees in this year alone. This is a difference of 751 over the prior year, a growth of 4.4%.
Our 2023 Best Sports Management Schools ranking analyzes 311 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for sports management students. Explore this or one of our many other custom sports management rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in sports management is teaching others how to do something. Talking to others to convey information effectively and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most sports management degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic sports management program qualifications, to serve in some sports management careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different sports management degree levels. Sports Management programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest sports management degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common sports management degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to sports management, with approximately 25.3% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for sports management workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 28.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 21.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 15.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 13.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 11.3% |
66.0% of sports management workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in sports management have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the sports management career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your sports management degree? Sports Management careers are expected to grow 11.3% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sports management.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors | 329,200 | 10.0% |
| Coaches and Scouts | 311,700 | 12.9% |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Professors | 22,600 | 9.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for sports management graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for sports management graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers sports management grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Professors | $72,190 |
| Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors | $44,580 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,870 |
With over 1,000 different sports management degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased sports management school rankings to help you with this.
One of 5 majors within the Health & Physical Education area of study, Sports Management has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 32,740 |
| Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General | 13,944 |
| Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness | 1,441 |
| Physical Fitness Technician | 1,436 |
| Sports Studies | 614 |
