The fifth most populous state in the country is full of sports and recreation opportunities. Pennsylvania’s 121 state parks offer cycling, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, water sports, and more; come winter, be prepared to put on your skis. Perhaps less known is the state’s excellent hunting reputation. There are nearly a million licensed hunters, and Pennsylvania is considered one of the country’s premiere wild turkey destination. More famous are the state’s professional sports organizations, including two teams each in the NFL, MLB, and NHL, and MLS and NBA teams. (Altogether, Pennsylvania professional sports have won twenty-four championships.) Collegiate athletics are prominent here, too, with major basketball and football programs at some of the country’s largest and most prestigious universities. All the above makes Pennsylvania a great spot for a variety of sports related jobs. Check out our favorite locations, universities, and degree programs for sports management below!
Planning Your Education
Currently there are 11 universities in the state of Pennsylvania offering online programming in sports management degree fields located throughout the state. while this level of choice and convenience is great, potential students should be counseled to know that there are many potential ways to enter into sports management fields. Many degree types can give students a variety of unique edges on competition, but it’s for students to choose which degree type is the best for entering into a sports management field or role of their choice. For an in-depth treatment of this subject, check out our degrees page. Or if you already know what degree types your interested in, check out our directory of sports management degrees in Pennsylvania .
Types of Degrees Surveyed:
- Sports Management
- Coaching Education
- Nutrition
- Recreation Management
- Kinesiology
- Communications and Public Relations
- Physical Education
- Health and Wellness
- Sports Psychology
- Business Administration: Sports Management
Degree Levels Surveyed:
- Associates
- Bachelors
- Masters
- Doctoral Degrees
- Graduate and Undergraduate Certifications
Career Opportunities
Number of Jobs
After suffering a sharp decline in sports management jobs in 2006, employment has rebounded over the last few years in Pennsylvania. According to Indeed.com, Philadelphia, York, Pittsburgh, Mount Gretna, and Harrisburg are the main hubs, but jobs can be found across the state, particularly in college towns like University Park, Villanova, Lewisburg, and Bethlehem, where you can currently find openings ranging from Director of Athletic Operations, to Recreation Coordinator, to Sports Marketing Brand Ambassador. Mid- and senior-level positions are harder to find at the professional level, but entry-level roles are often available; and don’t forget about the more than two-dozen minor league teams in Pennsylvania. Fitness clubs, health and wellness centers, and sports apparel brands hire, as well.
Earning Percentiles for Sports Management Professionals in Pennsylvania
For leadership positions nationwide, the mean salary for management positions in spectator sports is $117,000, which would place near the 70th percentile for sports management salaries in Pennsylvania. Considering that the state ranks 23rd in the country for median income, sports management salaries are relatively high and less prone to potential wage depressions. The data also suggests a large amount of entry- and mid-level jobs. Most important, overall salaries have steadily increased 25 percent in recent years. Add the wealth of affordable, prestigious educational centers in the state, and Pennsylvania makes for a great launching zone for aspiring sports management workers.
Need more inspiration to start pursuing sports management-related opportunities in Pennsylvania today? Check out the range of job openings across the state below!
Top Sports Management Degree Programs: PA
While there are a variety of top schools offering a range of sports management-related degrees online in Pennsylvania, students will first and foremost want to consider the exact degree type they're interested in pursuing. We've chosen out our three "recommended" schools for Pennsylvania below, but aspiring students should keep in mind that not each of these universities will necessarily have a program of study that can lead directly to the particular sports management career of your choice. If you're already set on pursuing sports management-related schooling in the state of Pennsylvania, we advise you to not only consult out ranking of top schools below, but also peruse our database of all sports management-related programs in Pennsylvania below. While there are additional benefits of pursuing an online degree in your own state (in-state tuition, and the ability to take classes or intensives in person), future students should also note that there are many online programs available nationwide, and consult our wide-ranging rankings for the top online sports management schools in the nation.
With that said, there are many top Pennsylvania-based programs available entirely online. We've selected our top three through equally weighting two metrics: the number of sports-management related degrees available online through the institution, and the academic prestige of the given institution.
[tcpaccordion id="891"]
PA Sports Management Degree Database
| California University of Pennsylvania | California, PA | Online SM Degrees: 23 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (724) 938-4000 250 University Ave, California, PA 15419
GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||
Generous transfer policy| Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Clarion, PA | Online SM Degrees: 9 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (814) 393-2000 840 Wood St, Clarion, PA 16214
GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||
| Drexel University | Philadelphia, PA | Online SM Degrees: 5 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (215) 895-2000 3141 Chestnut St Philadelphia, PA 19104
GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh, PA | Online SM Degrees: 4 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (412) 396-6000 Administration Bldg 600 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15282
GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||
| Lock Haven University | Lock Haven, PA | Online SM Degrees: 3 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (570) 484-2011 401 N Fairview St, Lock Haven, PA 17745 GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||
| Saint Francis University | Loretto, PA | Online SM Degrees: 2 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (814) 472-3000 117 Evergreen Dr Loretto, PA 15940
GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||
| Pennsylvania State University-World Campus | University Park, PA | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (814) 865-5403 128 Outreach Building University Park, PA 16802
GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||
| Robert Morris University | Moon Township, PA | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (800) 762-0097 6001 University Boulevard Moon Township, PA 15108-1189
|
|||
| King's College | Wilkes-Barre, PA | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (570) 208-5900 133 N River St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
|
|||
| Philadelphia University | Philadelphia, PA | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (215) 951-2700 4201 Henry Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19144-5497
GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown, PA | Online SM Degrees: 1 | |
 ADDRESS & CONTACT INFO (717) 361-1000 1 Alpha Dr, Elizabethtown, PA 17022
GRADUATE DEGREES
|
|||