Are you passionate about the world of sports? Do you want to be involved in the business of sports? Then maybe a degree in Sports Management is exactly what you need to get there. We have compiled this list of the 20 best sports management degree in the US. We hope this list helps you on your educational journey.
University of Florida
Earn a BS in Sports Management from the flagship public university in Florida. Offered through the College of Health and Human Sciences, students at UF take some incredibly interesting classes. Courses offered include Sport and Society, Administration of Sport and Physical Activity, and Legal Issues in Sport and Physical Activity, to name just a few.
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Rice University
Based in the thriving city of Houston, Rice University offers a competitive Sports Management program that will set you up nicely for the job market. This is one of the few universities where Sports Management is a stand-alone major where students choose between one of three concentrations: Sport Analytics, Sport Law, or Sport Leadership. Rice has partnered with the Texans, Astros, Dynamo, Dash, and Rockets to offer incredible internship opportunities. Internships (300 hours worth) are an integral part of the Rice curriculum.
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University of Miami
Study and live in one of the greatest cities in the country! Study Sports Administration at the University of Miami. Take several courses through the Kinesiology department, in addition to courses in Public Speaking. Some other courses you may take include Problems and Issues in Sport Administration, Finance and Budget in Sport Administration, or Sport Marketing. Check out their website today.
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Southern Methodist University
SMU offers a BS in Applied Physiology and Sports Management through the Simmons School of Education and Human Development. Take sports-specific classes in Marketing, Management, and Public Relations. Benefit from SMU’s location in Dallas, in close proximity to several professional sports teams that you can possibly intern with.
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Penn State
At Penn State you can earn a certificate in Sports Administration as part of your education. This coursework can greatly complement studies in Economics, Public Administration, Accounting, and Business. Create your own dynamic program of study and study Sports Administration while attending PSU.
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Clemson University
As part of their Community Recreation and Sports Management concentration, you can study Sports Management while earning a degree in Sports Communication. This particular major is an excellent choice for those of you thinking about double-majoring. If you are interested, check out the Clemson website today.
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Northern Illinois University
At Northern Illinois University, you can earn your BS in Sports Management. You can also pursue a Sports Sales minor while studying Sports Management. Take courses in Finance in the Sport Industry, Sport Sales and Sponsorship, or Sport Management Strategies. There are plenty more courses for you to check out and information to take in, just check out their website.
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Texas A&M University
Another Texas university that we are proud to include on our list. At Texas A&M, you can earn a BS in Sports Management. Students have four choices for capstone projects at Texas A&M, internship, capstone project, undergraduate research project, or foreign program project. Choose from an internship and non-internship track.
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University of Georgia
One of the greatest universities in the southern US, study Sports Management at the University of Georgia. Courses offered in this program include Sport Economics and Policy, Sport Policy and Governance, and Introduction to Sports Analytics. Home to some of the most-exicitng college athletics, the University offers plenty of internship experiences within Athens.
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University of Louisville
At the University of Louisville, you can earn a BS in Sport Administration. Degree also available online! The City of Louisville is home to professional baseball and soccer teams that you can intern with. Alumni have gone on to work in several aspects of the sports industry.
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University of Houston
The Sports Administration program at the University of Houston offers incredible value both inside and outside the classroom. UH students have interned at Auburn University, Texas A&M, Houston Dynamo Sports Academy, Houston Astros, Houston Texans, and Houston Dynamo. Check out this exciting program by getting on their website.
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Belhaven University
Another incredible sports management degree program that we are glad to include here. You will study Sports Management, Sports Governance and Ethics, and Sports Marketing as part of your education. Alumni have gone one to work at professional teams in Mississippi and beyond.
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Texas Tech University
Based out of the Department for Kinesiology and Sports Management, you can start your journey into the world of sports management by studying at Texas Tech. At TTU, students complete their degree by internship! For those of you who want to learn outside the classroom, check out TTU today.
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Howard University
Howard University is not just one of the best colleges in the country, but also home to a spectacular sports management minor. Program comprises of 18 credit hours (6 classes). Some of the electives offered include Sports and the Media, Sports Governance, and Facilities and Event Management.
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University of Tampa
The University of Tampa is an excellent place to study sports management. The program is accredited through Commission on Sport Management Accreditation. Alumni have worked at the Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the United Soccer Leagues. Kickstart your future by studying at University of Tampa.
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Mississippi College
If a Christian education is something you want out of higher education, Mississippi College is a place for you to earn a sports management degree. The curriculum is a hybrid combination of liberal arts, Kinesiology, and business classes. Classes offered include Psychology of Sport, Economic Principles II, or Management of Physical Education, Fitness, & Sport Programs, to name just a few.
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Western Carolina University
Earn your BS in Business Administration in Sports Management from Western Carolina University. Learn from world-renowned faculty, combine Sports Management with another major, and take several interesting courses at WCU. Check out the WCU website today and see if you are the right fit for them.
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Syracuse University
Earn your undergraduate degree in Sports Management from Syracuse University. Some of the courses offered as part of this curriculum include Olympic Odyssey, Managing the Sports Organization, and Los Angeles Immersion. Study Abroad is large part of the Syracuse curriculum, offering you the opportunity to expand your horizons and learn overseas.
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Concordia University – St Paul
Located in St Paul, Minnesota, studying Sports Management at Concordia University means you can live and study in one of the best sports cities in the United States. Available on-campus and online!
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Drexel University
Offered through the LeBow School of Business, Drexel University can help you on your way to a future working in sports. Earn your degree by taking courses like Digital Sports Storytelling, Sport Economics, and the Globalization of Sport. If this sounds appealing to you — check out their website today!
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We hope that our list has been helpful in guiding your research into graduate school and programs. Our list does not include any paid or preferred listings. It is prepared subjectively, using several metrics, including (but not limited to): tuition per credit hour, acceptance rate, number of programs offered, and availability of funding. If you are a representative for a university and want to contact us about a) your schools ranking or b) the fact your school is not included, please feel free to get in touch. We welcome feedback and input. Thank you for reading our list!
For more programs check out our Sports Medicine degree page.