Sport management degrees are interdisciplinary programs that apply business functions to the sports industry and prepare students for a variety of career opportunities. Graduates can earn a median salary of $127,830 in roles such as sports marketers or brand managers, or they can pursue other fast-growing careers as coaches, scouts, athletic directors, or event coordinators.
Institutions offer sports management programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Undergraduate programs require about four years of study, with tuition and fees averaging $14,688 yearly or $27,673 with room and board. Graduate programs cost about $20,513 yearly and typically require at least two years to satisfy graduation requirements.
How to Choose a Sports Management Program
Choose your area of study
A sports management degree can unlock access to various careers, so it’s crucial to consider your career and education goals when selecting the ideal program.
Both a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in sports management provide students with an overall business education in marketing, finance, economics, and management within the sports industry.
BBA and BS graduates have overlapping career opportunities, such as athletic directors, event coordinators, and brand managers. However, BBA grads may lean toward managerial or operations roles, while BS grads may focus on data or finance-related positions such as marketing analyst, operations manager, or contract analyst.
Students who progress to a master’s degree in sports management may choose a focus or specialty, such as sports ethics or public relations, and graduates often progress to upper management and leadership roles in major organizations. A doctoral degree in sports management develops students’ research and scholarly abilities to prepare them for careers as professors, researchers, or other academic professionals and executive sports industry roles.
Students can concentrate on certain sports management specialties. These may include:
- Media
- Event management
- Law
- Economics
- Ethics
Research schools and programs
Once you’ve chosen your educational path, research schools and programs that suit your goals and criteria. Visit the websites of schools and programs you’re interested in, and contact admissions advisors at each institution to get more information about the program. School websites and social media can also direct you to virtual or in-person campus tours and information sessions.
Keep accreditation in mind as you weigh your options. Regional accrediting organizations such as the New England Commission of Higher Education and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities verify that schools provide a high-quality education to their students. You can use the Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) to check on a school’s accreditation status.
Regional accreditation can help ensure a consistent educational experience. Other institutions recognize credentials from regionally accredited institutions, making transferring credits easier when switching schools or programs. Accreditation can also affect eligibility for financial aid, as only accredited institutions qualify. Employers may prefer applicants with accredited education to confirm their qualifications.
Prepare for tests and applications
Sports management admission requirements for undergraduate and graduate programs vary between schools but generally follow standard requirements for most programs. These include:
- Application form and fees
- Secondary school transcript
- In-progress undergraduate transcript for transfers
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Personal essay or statement
- Resume or CV
- SAT or ACT scores
- GRE or GMAT scores
Undergraduate admissions may prefer applicants with a science or math-focused background or equivalent post-secondary credits. Prospective majors may also need to complete a year of general studies and prerequisite business, liberal arts, or science courses before applying to the sports management program.
Master’s programs usually require an undergraduate degree, and Ph.D. programs may require a master’s degree. Speak to advisors from respective admissions departments to confirm specific eligibility, deadlines, documentation, and other important information.
Select your program
Even if the educational outcome is similar, sports management programs aren’t equal. Some may better suit your needs depending on curriculum, cost, location, course delivery method, or specialty options.
For instance, private institutions typically have higher tuition fees than public schools, which may influence student decisions if their financial resources are limited. Many students find program delivery and overall logistics vital to their education — part-time, online, or hybrid courses can help support those in the workforce or with other obligations, while in-person options can offer unique networking and interaction advantages. Academic advisors can provide program-specific details and help students weigh their options.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
Calculate tuition and fees and factor in expenses such as books and materials, housing, transportation, and other needs throughout the program. Speak to your chosen institution’s financial aid office to verify fees, inquire about average student costs, and confirm financial aid eligibility. Regardless of your financial resources, apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to access need-based federal loans, scholarships, grants, and other assistance.
Outside of FAFSA, students can earn merit-based or other types of grants, scholarships, and assistance from institutions, foundations, private organizations, and other groups. Employers may also offer tuition assistance benefits to eligible workers who are attending school.
Best 50 Accredited Sports Management Programs
Discover More Options
How we rank schools
This list features some of the best sports management degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, regionally accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education. Many of these options also have programmatic accreditation from agencies like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), all of which are reputable organizations that assess sports management programs for educational excellence.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and the resources provided for on-campus 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 sports management degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like 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.
What Can You Expect From a Sports Management Program?
Sports management undergraduate and graduate programs help students gain an in-depth understanding of the role of sports in society and as a function of business. Coursework typically covers general business topics, including economics, policy, research and data analytics, law and ethics, strategy, and finance, and how they intersect with sports management.
Full-time bachelor’s degrees usually take four years to complete. Throughout the program, students complete a certain number of credits in core business classes and either core science or liberal arts classes, depending on the degree type. Students may also participate in work co-ops, internships, and seminars.
Over two years of full-time study, master’s programs involve several core courses and focus options. Students may also complete internships for professional development and networking via industry events, seminars, and panels. Ph.D. programs vary in duration, but most take three to five years. Master’s and Ph.D. candidates typically complete independent research and dissertation projects.
Potential courses you’ll take in a sports management program
- Sports Finance: Finance courses explore financial management, business structures, and planning and forecasting processes. Students may learn about inventory management, taxes, and other financial topics in a sports industry context.
- Sports Law and Ethics: This course explores legal fundamentals and their application to the sports industry. Course content typically includes case studies and discussions on general ethics, trademark law, personal injury law, and contract law.
- Sports Marketing: Sports marketing courses focus on how traditional and evolving marketing principles apply to the sports industry. Topics may include sponsorships and partnerships, public relations, and sports consumer research.
- Sports Analytics: Students learn about data research and analysis models in finance, statistics, and math and how they relate to sports business strategy. Content may include athlete valuation, ticket pricing, and consumer analysis.
- Sport and Society: This class explores contemporary issues and social implications in sports, including discrimination, gender inequity, and crime.
Sports Management Degree Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to a sports management degree program?
Most programs provide an online admissions portal where you can submit your application. In addition to a completed application form and fees, students typically must include transcripts, a personal statement, a CV, letters of recommendation, and relevant test scores.
Admissions portals should guide you through the process, but an admissions counselor can assist if you prefer an offline application or need further clarification.
How much does a sports management degree cost?
Undergraduate tuition and fees average $14,688 yearly, and graduate programs average $20,513 per year. That doesn’t include room and board, which can increase annual undergraduate costs to $27,673.
These figures don’t necessarily reflect your final costs. Scholarships, grants, and loans can reduce the amount you pay upfront, and in-state vs. out-of-state, course delivery method, location, and other variables can affect your budget.
How long does it take to earn a sports management degree?
Based on full-time studies and the typical requirement of 120 credits for graduation, most sports management bachelor’s degrees take about four years. Depending on the curriculum, part-time vs. full-time enrollment, self-pacing options, and project and credit requirements, master’s programs take between 18 months and several years. Ph.D. programs typically don’t exceed six years.