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Deciding which college to attend can be a daunting task. For many, it will be the most important decision that they make in their lives. To make an informed decision, you have to consider a lot of variables, such as cost of attendance, financial aid, student-teacher ratio, academics, student life, and more. These factors will either positively or negatively impact the quality of education that you receive.

Do you want to acquire a master’s in sports management but don’t know what institution you should attend? Well, if you are as ambitious as I was in my late teens, then you want to attend a top school, instead of an average or mediocre one. Fortunately, we have already done the legwork for you. To help you find the right school for your interests and goals, we’ve compiled a list of 2022’s best master’s in sports management programs.

What institution did we omit from this list? Leave your suggestions in the comment section below.

1. Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University has its master of science in sports management through the College of Education to prepare learners to lead in the field of sports management. Learners taking the 36-credit non-thesis path can pursue a wider variety of interests through electives and internships. Learners pursuing the 34-credit thesis path research and develop expertise in a particular area with the choice of eventually pursuing a doctorate. Learners in the non-thesis path get hands-on experience through a practicum that varies from three to twelve credits in length.

2. Temple University, Philadelphia, PA

Temple University has its master of science in sports business through its School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management (STHM). Learners finish the 36-credit degree program in two to four years. The school has all classes after 5:00 p.m., allowing learners to pursue full-time employment, internships, or assistantships during the day. All learners take 18 required STHM credits and six business credits, plus electives. Temple has both thesis and non-thesis options.

3. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Texas A & M University has its MS in sport management both online and on-campus at College Station, Texas. While the traditional on-campus admission’s office grants admission to learners only during the fall semester, online learners can enroll for fall, spring, or summer semesters. In either format, learners may pursue the thesis or non-thesis choice. Learners in the non-thesis options serve a four-credit internship. On-campus learners in the non-thesis choice may take up to 12 credits in directed study activities. Given the limited space available, learners admitted to this competitive degree program normally enter with GPAs over 3.0 and a mean of 4.3 years of experience in the field.

4. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Learners admitted to this master’s level degree program become part of a small, close-knit cohort of 9 learners, all of whom serve on at least one committee, and as interns in the UNC athletic department. Learners progress through core college sports administration classes during their initial year and through a master’s thesis and a full-time internship their second year.

5. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

The University of Florida has an online master’s degree in sport management from its campus in Gainesville. The UF degree program has established a clear record of success. Learners select one of three concentrations: athlete development, high-performance coaching, or sports law. Available classes consist of international sport management, character development in sport, and advanced sports law. Learners earn elective credit while serving in a practicum or an internship. Non-thesis master’s learners must finish a capstone project during their final semester.

6. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

The University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology has a 30-credit Master of Science in Sport Management degree. To qualify for the thesis choice, learners must hold a B+ mean through their first 12 credits. Learners study several sport enterprise issues, including entrepreneurship, urban planning, finance, diversity, social justice, and globalization. Class concepts consist of strategic management in sport, managing a professional sports franchise, and theory of sport and consumer behavior. The degree program exposes learners to the insights of leading sports executives.

7. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

While Indiana University operates from nine campuses across the state of Indiana, its School of Public Health has a 36-credit Master of Science in Kinesiology in Athletic Administration/Sports Management from the primary campus in Bloomington. Founded in 1985, the degree program has trained more than 150 alumni who are currently employed in the field. Required classes consist of issues in commercial sports, NCAA compliance, sports brand management, and understanding sports media. Learners must finish a three-credit culminating experience in sport strategy and application.

8. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

The University of Minnesota’s School of Kinesiology has a 36-credit master of arts in sport management. Candidates may transfer as much as 40 percent of the credits earned from a sanctioned institution. Learners in the thesis choice must finish 26 major credits plus a 10-credit thesis. Learners in the non-thesis choice must finish a capstone project involving 120 task hours. Elective options consist of youth sport science, sport and gender, and special topics in kinesiology. The most successful candidates hold a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and mean to above-mean GRE scores.

9. University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

The sport management program at UConn has training at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Learners may pursue the 33-credit MS in sport management with a thesis choice or non-thesis choice. Within the non-thesis choice, learners may elect to complete either a six-credit internship or a six-credit research project. All learners must take six to nine credits in qualitative and quantitative research methods. UConn limits enrollment in the master’s degree program to 35 learners.

10. University of Georgia, Athens, GA

The University of Georgia offers an MS in kinesiology (sport management and policy). Learners may pursue the degree through the 36-credit non-thesis choice or the 30-credit thesis choice in preparation for doctoral-level study. Classes in this degree program address the economic, legal, social, and ethical issues facing the field. Learners will also study the role of sport in society with a view toward protecting it through sound policy and effective management.

11. CUNY Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn College prepares learners to lead in the diverse field of sport management through their master of science in sport management. The degree program is designed for learners who have experience and a bachelor’s degree in sport management. Candidates lacking that background must finish prerequisite classes before the third semester in the degree program.

12. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

UT Knoxville has a 36-credit master of science in sport management with a strong emphasis on experiential learning. The degree program has considerable flexibility to fit the interests of each learner. Learners in the non-thesis choice must finish a three-credit capstone project. Candidates must hold a 3.00 undergraduate GPA for admission into this competitive degree program.

13. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

The University of South Carolina has a master of science in sport and entertainment management with both thesis and non-thesis tracks. Learners in both tracks must take a holistic examination upon completion of all coursework and thesis. The curriculum has an extensive treatment of venue management, including arenas, stadiums, and amphitheaters. Candidates with some experience in a sports management field hold a competitive admissions advantage.

14. University of Illinois, Champaign, IL

The University of Illinois has a 36-credit master of science in recreation, sport and tourism. Learners may pursue either the thesis or non-thesis choice. The degree program builds a foundation of recreation and tourism management into sport management, integrating the unique insights of each field. Learners must spend at least one semester on campus. Full-time learners can finish the degree program in as few as three semesters. Candidates must show a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.00 through the last 60 credits of their bachelor’s studies.

15. St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, FL

St. Thomas University’s business school has a master of science in sports administration. The institution first offered a bachelor’s degree program in sports administration in 1973 and continues to build on that success. Full-time learners can finish the 30-credit degree program in just one year, progressing through classes in six eight-week terms across the year. Learners must finish a three-credit internship. Alumni currently serve across the sector and consist of general managers for professional football, basketball, and baseball teams.