35 BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT

Updated December 6, 2022

If you have a love for sports and a mind for business, a master's degree in sports management may be perfect for you! Did you know that by 2021, the value of the sports market is expected to reach nearly $80 billion? And that's just in North America alone! As this industry continues to boom, ...

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If you have a love for sports and a mind for business, a master's degree in sports management may be perfect for you! Did you know that by 2021, the value of the sports market is expected to reach nearly $80 billion? And that's just in North America alone! As this industry continues to boom, more and more qualified folks are needed to effectively manage teams and facilitate growth. In fact, people with this degree go on to work as athletic directors, team owners, facilities coordinators, and more. With a sports management degree, you'll learn everything from sports analytics and marketing to digital media in sports, sports law, and more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Agents and Business Managers of Athletes earn an average annual wage of nearly $65,000. Of course, your salary will be contingent upon where you work, your job title, and the level of education you have.

Rating and Ranking Methodology

Best Value Schools publishes college degree rankings with the belief of how one's higher education should be, both, affordable and an investment of continued value for the students who pursue them. The staff of BVS collects data from reputable sources in order to calculate Net Price and the short and long-term value of every ranked degree. Collected data is simplified into weighted categories before scoring, and then scaled through a BVS Score up to 100. The weighted categories are:

  • Degree Investment Return (25%)
  • Student & Alumni Evaluation (25%)
  • Cost Value (25%)
  • Matriculation (10%)
  • Academic Success (15%)

No matter what degree you decide on, we hope our research and support has made the selection process easier. There are numerous resources BVS utilizes to collect information on degrees, and we encourage you to check them out for yourself!

#1 Texas A&M University College Station, TX
#2 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
#3 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
#4 Georgetown University Washington, DC
#5 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
#6 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
#7 Troy University Troy, AL
#8 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC
#9 Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN
#10 Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

  1. Texas A&M University
    Location

    College Station, TX

    Tuition

    $16461

    The Masters of Science degree in Sport Management at Texas A&M University can be completed entirely online. Graduate students may choose between a thesis and non-thesis program. Required courses in this 36-credit program may include Financial Management in Sport, Best Practices in Coaching, Sport Law, and more. Prospective students may apply for admission during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The GRE is not a requirement for admission into this program. Applicants with a GPA of at least 3.0 and experience within the industry will have a better chance of being admitted.

  2. University of Florida
    Location

    Gainesville, FL

    Tuition

    $27335

    Graduate students at the University of Florida can now pursue a Master of Science degree in Sport Management entirely online. This program also offers concentrations in High Performance Coaching, Sport Law, and Athlete Development. Required courses in this 36-credit program may include Sport Marketing, Sport Sociology, Issues in Sport Law, and more. Additionally, all graduate students must complete an advanced capstone project to earn their degree. The University of Florida has been ranked among the nation's Most Innovative Schools, Top Public Schools, and Best Value Schools by U.S. News and World Report.

  3. University of Southern Mississippi
    Location

    Hattiesburg, MS

    Tuition

    $8108

    The Master of Science degree in Sport Management at the University of Southern Mississippi can be completed entirely online. Required courses may include Socio-Ethical Issues in Sport, Trends and Issues in Sport, Sport Marketing and Public Relations, and more. This 36-credit program also offers a unique emphasis in Sport Event Security Management for interested students. Graduate students may choose to complete this program on either a part-time or full-time schedule. Prospective students may apply for admission during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. All applicants must submit their GRE scores to be considered for this program.

  4. Georgetown University
    Location

    Washington, DC

    Tuition

    $47880

    Georgetown University now offers an online Master of Professional Studies in Sports Industry Management for interested students. This master's degree is made up of 30 credit hours. Required courses may include Applied Ethics in Sports, Sports Business and Finance, Sports Law, Contracts, and Negotiations, and more. Additionally, all graduate students must complete a capstone project. There are no required on-campus residencies to complete this degree at Georgetown. Most students complete this program in just two years or less. Georgetown University is ranked among the nation's Best Value Schools, Most Innovative Schools, and Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News and World Report.

  5. Georgia Southern University
    Location

    Statesboro, GA

    Tuition

    $26518

    The Master of Science degree in Sport Management at Georgia Southern University can be completed entirely online. Offered through the Waters College of Health Professions, this 36-credit program is made up of 12 courses. Requirements may include Current Trends in Sport Administration, Revenue Generation in Sport, Sport Marketing, and more. Most students complete this program in just two years or less. Students may apply for admission during the fall semester and GRE scores are required. Georgia Southern University has been ranked among the nation's Best Universities by U.S. News and World Report.

  6. Florida Atlantic University
    Location

    Boca Raton, FL

    Tuition

    $16695

    The MBA in Sport Management at Florida Atlantic University is offered online each summer, fall, and spring semester. Working professionals can complete this flexible, 23-month program on a full-time schedule. The online MBA is taught in an asynchronous fashion so students can access their classes and assignments at any time, from anywhere in the world. With no residency requirement, students will learn from the same professors who teach on-campus. Required courses may include Global Environment of Management, Sport Law, Sport Business Analytics, and more. The GRE is required for applicants who don't have at least four years of relevant work experience.

  7. Troy University
    Location

    Troy, AL

    Tuition

    $15012

    Graduate students at Troy University can now pursue a Master of Science degree in Sport and Fitness Management. This program is offered fully online formats and is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation. Required courses may include Risk Management in Sport, Motor Skills and Human Performance, Sociological Aspects of Sport, and more. Additionally, all students must complete a thesis as well. Graduates of this program have gone on to work for the NBA, NFL, and several other prestigious organizations. Troy University has been ranked among the nation's Most Innovative Schools and Best Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report.

  8. Western Carolina University
    Location

    Cullowhee, NC

    Tuition

    $14842

    The Master of Science in Sport Management is offered by the College of Business at Western Carolina University. This fully online program also includes a certificate in project management. Graduate students can earn their degree in just one year on a full-time schedule, or two years on a part-time basis. Required courses may include Project Planning and Estimating, Sport Marketing, Managing Enterprise Projects, and more. Prospective students may apply for admission during the fall, spring, or summer semesters. While GRE scores are not required, they may help to strengthen your application.

  9. Indiana State University
    Location

    Terre Haute, IN

    Tuition

    $14274

    Indiana State University now offers a 36-credit, online Master of Science degree in Sport Management tailored for working professionals. Required courses may include Sport Marketing, Administrative Theory in Sport, Sport Law and Risk Management, and more. Additionally, graduate students must complete a research project and an internship to earn their degree. With no on-campus residencies, students have up to seven years to complete this online program. Applicants are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Admitted students may transfer up to nine credits of graduate coursework to count towards their degree.

  10. Arkansas State University
    Location

    Jonesboro, AR

    Tuition

    $9612

    The Master of Science in Sport Administration at Arkansas State University is a 36-credit online program that can be completed in as little as 12 months. Required courses may include Sport Law, Sport Marketing, Sport in Society, and more. Additionally, all graduate students must complete an internship to earn their degree. Graduates of this program have gone on to work at prestigious health and fitness clubs, country clubs, stadiums, and more. Applicants should have at least a 3.0 GPA to be considered for admission into this program. Arkansas State University has been ranked among the nation's Top Public Schools and Best Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report.

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