Why This Matters

  • ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS JOBS GROWING BY 13%

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects jobs in this field to grow at a faster than average pace compared to all occupations.

  • MANAGEMENT JOBS GROWING BY 8%

    Management occupations are also expected to grow at a strong pace from 2021 to 2031.

  • EARN $55,000+ PER YEAR

    According to Payscale, the average worker with a Master’s in Sports Management degree earns $56,000 per year.

Our Research

This list features some of the best online Master’s in Sports Management programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. Many of the schools on our list have been accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation, which assesses the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of sports management-related programs.

We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.

Next, we compared this comprehensive list of online Master’s in Sports Management programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.

The Top 54 Master’s in Sports Management Programs

Best Master's in Sports Management Programs 2023
01
Intelligent Pick
UF Master of Science in Sport Management
01
Most Flexible Start Times
Texas A&M University at Kinesiology & Sport Management
01
Best Public Research School
Georgia Southern University
01
Best Christian Institution
Liberty University
01
Highest Graduation Rate
Georgetown University
01
Best Dual-Degree Option
Drexel University
01
Best in the Southeast
University of Miami
01
Most Affordable
Western Carolina University
01
Best for Adult Learners
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
01
Best in the South
Arkansas State University
01

Baker University
01

Jacksonville State University
01

University of Southern Mississippi
01

West Virginia University
01

Indiana State University
01

University of South Dakota
01

Troy University
01

Missouri Baptist University
01

American University
01

Wayne State University
01

Belhaven University
01

California University of Pennsylvania
01

Northwestern School of Professional Studies
01

Louisiana State University
01

Texas Woman's University
01

Boston College
01

University of Kansas
01

University of Louisville
01

Colorado State University
01

Concordia University at St. Paul
01

Upper Iowa University
01

Canisius College
01

East Tennessee State University
01

St. Thomas University
01

University of Cincinnati
01

Old Dominion University
01

University of Southern Indiana
01

Southeastern Oklahoma State University
01

Lasell University
01

Adelphi University
01

Southern New Hampshire University
01

Jacksonville University
01

SUNY Cortland

What You Should Know About This Degree

Students pursuing an advanced degree in sports management have the option of obtaining an MS or MA in sports management or an MBA with a concentration in sports management. For those who want business skills that are applicable in fields beyond sports management, the MBA may be the better option, as it teaches a broader range of business and leadership skills. An MS or MA degree will teach those same skills, but specifically geared towards sports management.

For some career paths, earning a master’s degree will complete your education. However, for jobs such as sports lawyer, you will need to earn a law degree if you do not already have one. Individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in sports management can go directly to law school and prepare for a career as a sports lawyer that way.

Individuals who work as agents will need to obtain licensure from the professional sports league whose players they represent. Each league sets up its own rules for agent licensure. Additionally, some states have their own regulations for licensing sports agents.

Although not all programs require an internship, it’s beneficial to participate in a practical learning experience if possible. Beyond applying the knowledge you learn in class in a real-world setting, this will allow you to make connections that could lead to employment post-graduation.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Master’s in Sports Management programs:

  • Does this program offer the specialization that I want? As sports management is such a broad field, many programs offer students the option to specialize in an area such as communications, analytics, coaching, or marketing. Consider whether you want to concentrate on a specific area of sports management, and choose a program that will allow you to do so.
  • Am I eligible for this program? Some programs may require students to have an undergraduate degree or coursework in sports management or a related field. If you do not meet these qualifications, you may be able to complete prerequisites prior to enrolling in the program.

As you research programs, review their application requirements and deadlines. Knowing what materials you need to apply and when to submit them will help make your admissions process easy and stress-free. You can find out this information online, or you can contact the school’s admissions department directly.

Also consider how you will finance your degree. If you are currently employed, find out if your employer offers any tuition benefits. You should also research scholarships, assistantships, and loans.