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2024 Best Sports Management Schools

303 Colleges in the United States
16,971 Sports Management Degrees Awarded
Sports Management is of the hottest degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #48 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

College Factual looked at 303 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Sports Management Schools ranking. Combined, these schools handed out 16,971 degrees in sports management to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Sports Management School

Best Sports Management Schools Your choice of sports management school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Sports Management School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Sports Management Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Sports Management
Bachelor's Degrees in Sports Management
Master's Degrees in Sports Management
Doctor's Degrees in Sports Management

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Sports Management Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.


 

Best Schools for Sports Management in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the sports management degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Sports Management

1
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In TX
46 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

It's difficult to beat Rice University if you wish to pursue a degree in sports management. Located in the city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Rice is a great university overall.

There were roughly 46 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from Rice University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
171 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a good choice for students pursuing a degree in sports management. Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 171 sports management students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In NY
67 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Columbia University in the City of New York is a great option for students interested in a degree in sports management. Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 67 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from Columbia University in the City of New York

4
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In TX
78 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

It is difficult to beat The University of Texas at Austin if you want to pursue a degree in sports management. UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the city of Austin. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were about 78 sports management students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from The University of Texas at Austin

5
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TX
258 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Texas A&M College Station is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall.

There were about 258 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from Texas A&M University - College Station

6
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IA
197 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 colleges for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were approximately 197 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from University of Iowa

7
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
62 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were approximately 62 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from Northwestern University

8
Graduate Certificate Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OH
172 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Located in the fringe town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 172 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from Miami University - Oxford

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In OH
168 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 168 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from Ohio State University - Main Campus

10
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In FL
247 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

UF is a very large public university located in the city of Gainesville. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UF is a great university overall.

There were about 247 sports management students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from University of Florida

11
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In VA
186 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 6th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 186 sports management students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from James Madison University

12
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MA
144 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

UMass Amherst is a very large public university located in the suburb of Amherst. This university ranks 11th out of 63 schools for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 144 sports management students who graduated with this degree at UMass Amherst in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from University of Massachusetts Amherst

13
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In AZ

Located in the medium-sized city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 26 schools for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were approximately 14 sports management students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from Arizona State University - Tempe

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In GA
131 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

UGA is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 131 sports management students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from University of Georgia

15
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CT

UCONN is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Storrs. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were about 28 sports management students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from University of Connecticut

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WV
188 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

American Military University is a very large private for-profit university located in the town of Charles Town. This university ranks 1st out of 28 colleges for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were approximately 188 sports management students who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from American Public University System

17
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In OH
162 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Located in the distant town of Athens, OHIO Athens is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 162 sports management students who graduated with this degree at OHIO Athens in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from Ohio University - Athens Campus

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In SC
275 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Columbia, UofSC is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 44 colleges for overall quality in the state of South Carolina.

There were about 275 sports management students who graduated with this degree at UofSC in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from University of South Carolina - Columbia

19
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TX
105 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

SMU is a large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Dallas. A Best Colleges rank of #73 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means SMU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 105 sports management students who graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from Southern Methodist University

20
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CA
405 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Concordia University, Irvine is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Irvine. This university ranks 54th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 405 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University, Irvine in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from Concordia University, Irvine

21
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In DC
150 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Georgetown is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Washington. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Georgetown is a great university overall.

There were about 150 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Georgetown in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from Georgetown University

22
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In PA
182 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Temple is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 11th out of 109 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 182 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from Temple University

23
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In TN
173 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

UT Knoxville is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Knoxville. This university ranks 2nd out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 173 sports management students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in sports management from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MN
112 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

UMN Twin Cities is a very large public university located in the city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #51 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were approximately 112 sports management students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

25
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In NY
113 Sports Management Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 12th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were about 113 sports management students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in sports management from Syracuse University

Rest of the Top Best Sports Management Schools

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35
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
35
36
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
37
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
37
38
39
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

39
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

41
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL
42
Gonzaga crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
43
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
44
Loras crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA
45

 

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Sports Management students that almost earned our Best Sports Management Schools award.

Rank College Location
46 University of Louisville Louisville, KY
47 United States Sports Academy Daphne, AL
48 Ball State University Muncie, IN
49 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
50 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
51 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
52 Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL
53 Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OK
54 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
55 Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI
56 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
56 University of Dayton Dayton, OH
57 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA
58 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
59 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
60 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
60 Xavier University Cincinnati, OH

Sports Management by Region

View the Best Sports Management Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 5 majors within the Health & Physical Education area of study, Sports Management has other similar majors worth exploring.

Majors Similar to Sports Management

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

View All Sports Management Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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