Sports Management Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Prepare for careers in professional sports, athletic administration, and sports marketing.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$68K
salary
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.8%
rate
Sports Management Overview
Prepare for careers in professional sports, athletic administration, and sports marketing.
Category
Business
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
72%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
25%
Lifetime Premium
$500K
Female Graduates
35%
Sports Management Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,750
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,750
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$484,250
Lifetime earnings premium ($500,000) minus net degree cost ($15,750)
Sports Management Salary Progression
Common Sports Management Careers
Sports Agent
Athletic Director
Sports Marketing Manager
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Sports Management
#1
Michigan
#2
Ohio State
#3
UMass
#4
Indiana
Related Majors
Sports Management Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Sports Management Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for sports management programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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