Key Takeaways
- Sports management combines business principles with knowledge of the sports industry.
- In this field, you’ll apply skills like planning, organizing, directing, controlling, budgeting, or leading within a sports organization or business.
- Several colleges offer multiple paths for students to make a career in Sports Management including offering a BA with a concentration in Sports Management or a Bachelor’s in Sports Management (among others).
Are you a sports lover who enjoys a challenge, has great communication, and is business savvy? If so, you can turn this passion into a fulfilling profession by majoring in sports management! This field offers a range of careers, from working with professional teams and colleges to managing recreational departments and marketing firms.
As the sports industry grows, so do its career options. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts an increase of about 109,000 jobs each year for all entertainment and sports careers between 2023 and 2033. To get started, you’ll need to earn a degree in sports management. Let’s look at what sports management entails and the top 20 sports management colleges to apply to.
What Is a Sports Management Major?
A sports management major prepares you for a career in the sports industry by combining business principles with sports-specific knowledge. There are various programs available to help you get started, including:
- Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management
- Bachelor’s in Sports Management
- Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree in Sports Management
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Sports Management
- Master’s in Sports Management
- Athletic Administration Graduate Certificate
In your sports management program, you’ll receive instruction in:
- Program Planning and Development
- Business and Financial Management Principles
- Sales
- Marketing and Recruitment
- Event Promotion
- Scheduling and Management
- Facilities Management
- Public Relations
- Legal Aspects of Sports
- Applicable Health and Safety Standards
With your degree, you’ll be qualified for a range of roles, such as athletic director, facilities manager, guest relations specialist, promotions manager, sales manager, and special events coordinator.
How to Determine the Best Sports Management College for You
First and foremost, you’ll want to start by selecting an established, accredited university. It’s important to research the faculty to ensure they have relevant credentials and industry experience. It’s also important to consider the college’s job placement rates, as they can provide insight into how well the program prepares students for careers in the field. These three things can help determine whether the college is a good fit for you.
The Top 20 Best Sports Management Colleges in the Country
Here’s a list of the top sports management colleges for 2024, including their tuition, acceptance rate, and median starting salary.
1. SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $45,792
- Acceptance Rate: 62%
- Average Starting Salary: $47,405
2. RICE UNIVERSITY
- Location: Houston, TX
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $20,587
- Acceptance Rate: 8%
- Average Starting Salary: $45,139
3. SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE
- Location: Springfield, MA
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $29,198
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Average Starting Salary: $49,092
4. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA-COLUMBIA
- Location: Columbia, SC
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $26,068
- Acceptance Rate: 62%
- Average Starting Salary: $50,287
5. SUNY CORTLAND
- Location: Cortland, NY
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $18,474
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Average Starting Salary: $53,819
6. WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY
- Location: Springfield, MA
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $31,548
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Average Starting Salary: $52,532
7. NICHOLS COLLEGE
- Location: Dudley, MA
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $31,032
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Average Starting Salary: $52,298
8. NORTH CAROLINA A & T STATE UNIVERSITY
- Location: Greensboro, NC
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $10,258
- Acceptance Rate: 46%
- Average Starting Salary: $47,011
9. MIAMI UNIVERSITY-OXFORD
- Location: Oxford, OH
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $27,928
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Average Starting Salary: $51,025
10. SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
- Location: Syracuse, NY
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $51,520
- Acceptance Rate: 42%
- Average Starting Salary: $50,885
11. ELON UNIVERSITY
- Location: Elon, NC
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $41,849
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Average Starting Salary: $57,365
12. CANISIUS COLLEGE
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $19,321
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Average Starting Salary: $50,725
13. ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY-NEW YORK
- Location: Queens, NY
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $28,206
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Average Starting Salary: $48,458
14. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-ANN ARBOR
- Location: Ann Arbor, MI
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $19,005
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Average Starting Salary: $46,494
15. JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY
- Location: Harrisonburg, VA
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $26,317
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Average Starting Salary: $54,287
16. NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AT RALEIGH
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $14,860
- Acceptance Rate: 40%
- Average Starting Salary: $47,274
17. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Tuition (Est Net Price): $11,521
- Acceptance Rate: 24%
- Average Starting Salary: $43,398
18. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS-AMHERST
- Location: Amherst, MA
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $22,954
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Average Starting Salary: $49,984
19. OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $19,575
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Average Starting Salary: $47,476
20. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA-ONLINE
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Tuition (Est. Net Price): $10,412
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Average Starting Salary: $48,855
While these sports management colleges top the year’s current list, College Raptor recommends using College Match to build your own “best” colleges list that fit your specific circumstances.
Tips for Applying to a Sports Management Program
It’s important that you show a genuine interest in sports when applying to a sports management program. Here are some tips to help you when applying:
- Highlight Relevant Experience: This could be internships with sports organizations, volunteer work, or leadership positions in sports clubs or teams.
- Showcase Your Passion for Sports: Write essays that highlight your love for sports, participate in sports-related activities, and demonstrate your knowledge of the sports industry.
- Factor in Cost: Research the specific costs associated with the programs you’re interested in and look for scholarships specifically designed for sports management students.
The sports industry continues to grow, and so do growth rates for jobs. Earning a degree in sports management can qualify you for a wide range of opportunities. You can work for a professional team, stadiums, sports media firms, colleges, and recreational organizations. In your courses, you’ll cover topics related to business management and how it relates to sports and athletics. As you consider this career path, explore the listed schools to see how they can provide the necessary education and opportunities for success in the field of sports management.
Considering sports management? You can find sports management specific scholarships to apply to, plus more. Check out College Raptor’s Scholarship Search tool and find scholarships to apply to today!
