Washington State University
Washington State University takes top spot on our list due to its affordability and quality graduate programs. Its Masters in Sports Managment is actually an emphasis within its Master’s of Education program. This program can be completed entirely over the Internet.
School Overview
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University is a smaller public university with highly affordable tuition. Its Masters in Sport Management can be completed entirely online in one year. The program is conducive to working professionals and is taught by highly qualified faculty.
School Overview
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University beats out some stiff competition to finish as the top graduate sports management program in the state. Its Masters in Sports Management is actually a concentration within the school’s MBA program. This ensures that students learn general business principles as well as sports management.
School Overview
University of Florida
The University of Florida may finish just behind FAU, but it still has an excellent Master’s in Sports Management. This program, like many others on this list, can be completed over the Internet. UF’s Sports Management program is unique in that it offers several specializations, namely Athlete Development, Sport Law, and High-Performance Coaching.
School Overview
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida is the third Florida public university in our top five. USF’s Master’s in Sports Management requires 36 credit hours for completion. Students must also submit a thesis or do an internship.
School Overview
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University offers a top-notch Master’s in Sports Management. This program can be fully completed over the Internet. It takes students roughly two years to complete this 36-credit program.
School Overview
Southeast Missouri State University
Southeast Missouri State University may not be the most prestigious school on this list, but it does have an elite graduate Sports Management program. Its Sports Management program is actually a specialization within its MBA program. This degree can be completed over the Internet.
School Overview
University of Southern Mississippi
University of Southern Missisippi is another lesser-known public university that nevertheless boasts a top Sports Management program. This program can be completed online. USM also offers a related Master’s degree in Sport Coaching Education.
School Overview
Winona State University
Winona State University is a public university in Minnesota. Its online Master’s in Sports Management is offered through the Physical Education and Sport Science Department. Students can combine this degree with a Master’s in Leadership Education.
School Overview
Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University offers the top sports management program in the state. Its Master’s in Sports Administration can be completed over the Internet. This degree can be completed in only one year. The M.S. program is accredited by Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (about 10% of all programs in the U.S.). All courses are taught by full-time, Ph.D. professors.
School Overview
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is one of the top public universities in the country, so its high ranking on this list is hardly surprising. Texas A&M’s online Master’s in Sports Management requires students to complete 36 credits. This program can be taken on either a full-time schedule or a part-time schedule.
School Overview
Indiana State University
Indiana State University is often overshadowed by Indiana University, but not on this list. ISU’s online Master’s in Recreation and Sport Management is highly rated in the field. This program offers a flexible course schedule to accommodate working professionals. It is also available on campus.
School Overview
Troy University
Troy University in Alabama has the top graduate Sports Management program in the state. The program is actually called Sport and Fitness Management. Students can choose to specialize in Coaching.
School Overview
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is one of the major public universities in Tennessee. It has a top Sports Management program that can be completed online. Memphis’ program is actually called Sports Commerce, as it focuses heavily on the business side of sports management.
School Overview
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a major public university in Virgina. ODU offers a leading graduate sports management program. This program is actually an emphasis within the Master’s in Education offered at the school.
School Overview
California University of Pennsylvania
California University of Pennsylvania may have a slightly confusing name, but it also has an elite graduate Sports Management program. This program can be completed in its entirety over the Internet. It offers two specializations: Strategic Sports Analysis and Intercollegiate Athletic Administration.
School Overview
Millersville University
Millersville University is small public university with a powerhouse graduate Sports Management program. This degree can be completed entirely over the Internet. Students have the opportunity to do an internship with a variety of organizations.
School Overview
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University in Alabama offers an excellent graduate Sports Management program. This program, like the others on this list, can be completed over the Internet. Students are required to complete an internship before graduation.
School Overview
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University offers the top graduate sports management program in the state. CMU has become known as a leader in online education through its Global Campus, which offers the Master’s in Sports Administration. This program requires students to complete 36 credits of coursework before graduating.
School Overview
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University is a small private university in Florida with a strong graduate sports management program. Its sports management degree is actually a Sport Business emphasis within the MBA program. This ensures that students also get a strong business education.
School Overview
Liberty University
Liberty University is one of the largest and best-known Christian universities in the country. It has a well-regarded online Master’s in Sport Management. This degree offers students the opportunity to choose from several specializations, including Sport Administration, Tourism, and Outdoor Adventure Sports.
School Overview
Missouri Baptist University
Missouri Baptist University is a private Christian-affiliated institution. It has an excellent Master’s in Sports Management that can be completed entirely over the Internet. This program can be completed in 18-24 months.
School Overview
Belhaven University
Belhaven University is a small Christian institution in Mississippi. Its online sports management program is actually a Sports Administration concentration within the MBA program. Active military personnel benefit from a significant tuition discount.
School Overview
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University is a Florida-based institution known for its health sciences programs. However, it also has a strong online sports management program. This unique program is actually a Sport Revenue Generation concentration within the MBA degree.
School Overview
Tiffin University
Tiffin University is a small private university in Ohio with an excellent sports management program. This program is actually a concentration within the MBA. Students will complete a 200-hour mentorship as part of this program.
School Overview
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is no doubt the most prestigious institution on this list, though it does have pricy tuition. Its online Master’s in Sport and Atheltic Administration gives students a broad education in the field. Gonzaga has a Roman Catholic affiliation, though students of all faiths are welcome.
School Overview
Adelphi University
Adelphi University in New York has a top online Master’s in Sport Management program. There are specializations available in Collegiate Athletic Administration and Sport Marketing. This program can be completed in roughly two years.
School Overview
Lasell University
Lasell University is a small liberal arts institution with a few master’s programs, including a Master’s in Sport Management. This program is available online. It offers several specializations, including Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management, Parks and Recreation, Sport Leadership, or Athletic Administration.
School Overview
Franklin Pierce University
Franklin Pierce University is a small private school with a low student-to-faculty ratio. Its online MBA offers a concentration in Sports Management. This program ensures that students have a dual education in business and sports administration.
School Overview
New England College
New England College is another small private institution with a good sports management program. Its MBA program offers a concentration in Sports and Recreation Management. This program gives students a well-rounded education in the field.
School Overview
Our Ranking Methodology
Our ranking methodology is simple and straightforward. We take each school’s yearly tuition rate and graduation rate and use a formula to come up with a rating. Some schools have two different yearly tuition rates: one for in-state students and one for non-resident students. If this is the case for a specific school, we only looked at that school’s in-state tuition rate. Our formula starts with the yearly tuition statistic and adds a multiplier equivalent to the percentage of enrolled students who did not graduate. Here’s an example: School A has a yearly tuition rate of $30,000 and a graduation rate of 80%. Its rating would be 36,000 (30,000 x 120%). Lower rates are better than higher ratings for schools’ rankings.
For more programs check out our PhD in Sports Management page.
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