Best institutions to study Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in physical or motor activity, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injury, disease, and disability.
155 U.S. institutions graduated 8,332 Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.0908, a specialization of Physiology (CIP 26.09), and leads most directly to the Exercise Physiologists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1128).
About Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in physical or motor activity, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injury, disease, and disability. Includes instruction in muscular and skeletal anatomy; molecular and cellular basis of muscle contraction; fuel utilization; neurophysiology of motor mechanics; systemic physiological responses (respiration, blood flow, endocrine secretions, and others); fatigue and exhaustion; muscle and body training; physiology of specific exercises and activities; physiology of injury; and the effects of disabilities and disease.
See also: 51.0913 - Athletic Training/Trainer., 31.0505 - Exercise Science and Kinesiology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology program focuses on the scientific study of physiological processes related to physical activity. It is designed for students interested in understanding how the body responds to exercise, injury, and disease. This program is ideal for those seeking to improve health and performance through exercise science principles.
Students will gain knowledge in muscular and skeletal anatomy, neurophysiology, and the physiological responses of the body to exercise. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, active learning, and skills necessary for developing and implementing exercise programs tailored to individual needs.
Credentials awarded
What Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6,873 graduates / yr · 110 institutions83%
- Master's degree1,305 graduates / yr · 78 institutions16%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship117 graduates / yr · 28 institutions1.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate16 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years11 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Associate's degree5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
- Post-master's certificate3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,106 |
| 2013 | 2,427 |
| 2014 | 2,583 |
| 2015 | 3,617 |
| 2016 | 3,728 |
| 2017 | 4,018 |
| 2018 | 4,518 |
| 2019 | 4,286 |
| 2020 | 4,592 |
| 2021 | 4,910 |
| 2022 | 5,655 |
| 2023 | 6,273 |
| 2024 | 7,065 |
| 2025 | 8,332 |
Top 50 institutions for Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 424 | 91% | — | $24,588 |
| 2 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 316 | 51% | — | — |
| 3 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 300 | 75% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 291 | 65% | — | — |
| 5 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 285 | 69% | — | — |
| 6 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 283 | 82% | — | $29,884 |
| 7 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 252 | 81% | $13,712 | $25,101 |
| 8 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 246 | 79% | — | $27,374 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 224 | 68% | — | — |
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor's | 212 | 69% | — | — |
| 11 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 207 | 86% | — | $23,574 |
| 12 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 190 | 85% | — | $31,613 |
| 13 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 189 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 14 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 172 | 83% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 170 | 71% | — | — |
| 16 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 165 | 52% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 164 | 83% | — | $31,915 |
| 18 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, IDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 151 | 55% | $6,760 | $25,831 |
| 19 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 146 | 60% | — | — |
| 20 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 141 | 65% | — | $24,463 |
| 21 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 128 | 75% | — | $29,123 |
| 22 | Boise State University Boise, IDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 127 | 60% | — | — |
| 23 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 125 | 71% | — | $31,958 |
| 24 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor's | 120 | 63% | — | $27,494 |
| 25 | University of South Alabama Mobile, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 118 | 53% | — | — |
| 26 | Sacred Heart University Fairfield, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 112 | 73% | $42,705 | — |
| 27 | Long Island University Brookville, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 96 | 57% | $24,639 | — |
| 28 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 91 | 64% | $33,070 | — |
| 29 | Wichita State University Wichita, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 85 | 51% | — | $32,125 |
| 30 | College of Charleston Charleston, SCPublicBachelor's | 84 | 66% | — | $27,467 |
| 31 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 76 | 65% | — | $36,886 |
| 32 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 72 | 61% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Toledo Toledo, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 72 | 57% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor's | 71 | 47% | — | $32,629 |
| 35 | Creighton University Omaha, NEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 71 | 83% | $27,353 | $23,926 |
| 36 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsDoctoral | 69 | 48% | — | $32,671 |
| 37 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 64 | 84% | $26,589 | $28,243 |
| 38 | University of South Carolina - Upstate Spartanburg, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 63 | 43% | — | $28,616 |
| 39 | Eastern Washington University Cheney, WAPublicBachelor's | 63 | 43% | — | $25,379 |
| 40 | Marquette University Milwaukee, WIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 63 | 83% | $25,376 | $31,173 |
| 41 | Barry University Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 59 | 38% | $24,719 | — |
| 42 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 52 | 76% | $28,970 | $32,794 |
| 43 | Life University Marietta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 51 | 38% | $30,667 | $36,662 |
| 44 | Winston - Salem State University Winston-Salem, NCPublicBachelor's | 51 | 47% | — | — |
| 45 | Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 50 | 83% | $24,453 | $37,977 |
| 46 | University of Houston - Clear Lake Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 50 | 52% | — | — |
| 47 | The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 49 | 71% | $21,150 | — |
| 48 | Rice University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 49 | 95% | $13,264 | — |
| 49 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 47 | 67% | $27,455 | $24,058 |
| 50 | Seattle University Seattle, WAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 47 | 76% | $31,900 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Physiology field (CIP 26.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 42 states
Where Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology graduates come from. Each state links to all Physiology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1128, Exercise Physiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Exercise Physiologists, with a much faster than average job growth rate of 9.5%. There are approximately 1,700 annual openings, and the median wage for this profession is $58,160, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.0908
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Exercise Physiologistsprimary SOC 29-1128 | $59,460 | +9.5% Much faster than average | ~1,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
- Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
- Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
- Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
- Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
- Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
Tools and technology used
Other Physiology specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Physiology (CIP 26.09).
- PhysiologyCIP 26.09013,004 graduates / yr70 institutions
- Pathology/CIP 26.0910
Experimental Pathology 306 graduates / yr36 institutions - Oncology and Cancer BiologyCIP 26.0911235 graduates / yr31 institutions
- Vision Science/CIP 26.0909
Physiological Optics 219 graduates / yr12 institutions - Physiology, Pathology, and Related SciencesCIP 26.0999218 graduates / yr10 institutions
- BiomechanicsCIP 26.0913partial data70 graduates / yr6 institutions
- Cardiovascular ScienceCIP 26.0907partial data61 graduates / yr4 institutions
- Molecular PhysiologyCIP 26.0902partial data44 graduates / yr9 institutions
- Aerospace Physiology and MedicineCIP 26.0912partial data40 graduates / yr3 institutions
- Cell PhysiologyCIP 26.0903partial data32 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Reproductive BiologyCIP 26.0905partial data31 graduates / yr3 institutions
- EndocrinologyCIP 26.0904limited data6 graduates / yr2 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and exercise program development.
What are common career paths?+
Common careers include Exercise Physiologists, Medical Scientists, and Postsecondary Biological Science Teachers.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with 1,700 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology?+
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology is CIP 26.0908 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Physiology (CIP 26.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physiological processes involved in physical or motor activity, including sensorimotor interactions, response mechanisms, and the effects of injury, disease, and disability. Includes instruction in muscular and skeletal anatomy; molecular and cellular basis of muscle contraction; fuel utilization; neurophysiology of motor mechanics; systemic physiological responses (respiration, blood flow, endocrine secretions, and others); fatigue and exhaustion; muscle and body training; physiology of specific exercises and activities; physiology of injury; and the effects of disabilities and disease.
How many institutions offer Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology programs?+
155 U.S. institutions reported Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 42 states, awarding 8,332 credentials in the year. That is 66.1% of all Physiology graduates.
How much do Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Exercise Physiologists occupation, which Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology most directly leads to, pays a median of $59,460 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Physiology field report median earnings of $29,123 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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