Illinois · Sports

Best Sports institutions in Illinois, ranked by earnings

The Sports program, officially titled Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, focuses on the study of physical activity, fitness, and recreation. This program is designed for individuals interested in promoting health and…

Institutions
47
offering CIP 31.05
States offered
9
with a program page
Degrees / yr
2,050
IPEDS completions 2026
Median grad earnings
$31,538
1 year after graduation
With earnings data
19
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,472
IPEDS 2026
Avg graduation rate
53%
IPEDS 2026
State pay · Exercise Physiologists
$65,410
BLS OEWS 2024

Top 10 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard).

#InstitutionGrad earnings (1 yr)CompletionsGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Aurora University
Aurora Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,2567960%$18,431$27,000
2Benedictine University
Lisle Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$36,3441250%$23,570$26,000
3North Central College
Naperville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$34,6094864%$20,052$27,000
4Eastern Illinois University
Charleston Public · Bachelor's degree
$34,51111347%$25,000
5Northern Illinois University
Dekalb Public · Bachelor's degree
$32,15812149%$27,418
6Elmhurst University
Elmhurst Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,5383370%$20,794$23,375
7McKendree University
Lebanon Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$31,2593753%$23,994$27,000
8University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign
Champaign Public · Bachelor's degree
$31,18720885%$21,425
9North Park University
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$30,1652658%$18,494$25,495
10Illinois State University
Normal Public · Bachelor's degree
$30,05115565%$21,250

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Exercise Physiologists (SOC 29-1128).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+9.5%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$58,160
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingMonitoring

What Exercise Physiologists earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
310
BLS OEWS May 2024
State average pay
$65,410
median $61,270
Best-paying metro
$69,290
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Related careers

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
$57,930 avg · 18,100 jobs
Coaches and Scouts
$61,430 avg · 11,320 jobs
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling
$73,570 avg · 3,320 jobs
Athletic Trainers
$68,840 avg · 900 jobs
Athletes and Sports Competitors
avg · 690 jobs
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$83,760 avg · 530 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Sports programs in Illinois.

Which Sports program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (College Scorecard), Aurora University tops the list at $37,256. Compare it against completions, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Exercise Physiologists earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Exercise Physiologists in Illinois is $65,410 (median $61,270), across about 310 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

What is the focus of the Sports program?+

The Sports program, officially titled Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, focuses on the study of physical activity, fitness, and recreation. This program is designed for individuals interested in promoting health and…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Exercise Physiologists?+

The national job outlook is about +9.5% growth with around 1,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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