Best institutions to study Sports
Compare 1,324 U.S. colleges offering Sports by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
Sports programs report a median of $30,469 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 31.05 and the Exercise Physiologists occupation (BLS SOC).
About Sports programs
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 wellness through sports and exercise, preparing them for various roles in the fitness and recreation industries.
Students will acquire essential skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework covers topics such as exercise science, program development, and personal training, equipping graduates with the knowledge to design and implement fitness programs tailored to individual needs.
Top 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Public University System Charles Town, WV Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,381 | 688 | 57% | $10,199 | $19,312 |
| 2 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,110 | 39 | 95% | $13,264 | $10,000 |
| 3 | Simmons University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,876 | 21 | 72% | $24,848 | $27,000 |
| 4 | Lionel University Carpinteria, CA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $46,831 | 45 | 67% | $28,929 | $12,917 |
| 5 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,359 | 22 | 51% | $25,162 | $27,000 |
| 6 | University of Wisconsin - Platteville Platteville, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,027 | 38 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 7 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,519 | 124 | 84% | $33,246 | $20,475 |
| 8 | Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,937 | 14 | 70% | $20,155 | $27,000 |
| 9 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,513 | 8 | 11% | $26,445 | $38,750 |
| 10 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,727 | 58 | 75% | — | $22,250 |
| 11 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,506 | 406 | 93% | — | $19,135 |
| 12 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,725 | 6 | 52% | — | $23,500 |
| 13 | Winona State University Winona, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,742 | 44 | 57% | — | $25,550 |
| 14 | Alvernia University Reading, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,508 | 7 | 56% | $27,683 | $27,000 |
| 15 | Lakeland University Plymouth, WI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,427 | 16 | 42% | $20,767 | $24,225 |
| 16 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,161 | 82 | 32% | — | $22,292 |
| 17 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,019 | 57 | 62% | — | $25,500 |
| 18 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,702 | 357 | 79% | — | $25,000 |
| 19 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,683 | 67 | 47% | — | $25,661 |
| 20 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,486 | 404 | 80% | — | $25,000 |
| 21 | Ohio Dominican University Columbus, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,467 | 32 | 41% | $19,408 | $27,000 |
| 22 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,453 | 56 | 51% | $21,745 | $30,718 |
| 23 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,313 | 71 | 55% | — | $22,500 |
| 24 | Northern State University Aberdeen, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,123 | 29 | 49% | — | $24,500 |
| 25 | Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,723 | 66 | 30% | — | $27,670 |
| 26 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,717 | 343 | 91% | — | $19,982 |
| 27 | University of Florida - Online Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,717 | 49 | 85% | — | $19,982 |
| 28 | Longwood University Farmville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,479 | 26 | 61% | — | $27,000 |
| 29 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,333 | 26 | 69% | $27,376 | $24,125 |
| 30 | Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,243 | 76 | 65% | $24,925 | $27,000 |
| 31 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,092 | 238 | 43% | $34,565 | $27,000 |
| 32 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,059 | 46 | 46% | — | $19,588 |
| 33 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,049 | 252 | 49% | — | $23,770 |
| 34 | Cabrillo College Aptos, CA Public · Certificate degree | $38,985 | 218 | 38% | — | $8,864 |
| 35 | Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,796 | 48 | 77% | $21,607 | $27,000 |
| 36 | Meredith College Raleigh, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,525 | 17 | 70% | $19,552 | $26,000 |
| 37 | University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,364 | 111 | 56% | $18,930 | $26,786 |
| 38 | Buena Vista University Storm Lake, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,356 | 17 | 62% | $17,609 | $27,000 |
| 39 | Thomas College Waterville, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,348 | 10 | 54% | $18,192 | $27,000 |
| 40 | Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,249 | 110 | 53% | — | $25,995 |
| 41 | Simpson College Indianola, IA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,158 | 23 | 63% | $20,710 | $27,000 |
| 42 | McDaniel College Westminster, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,122 | 45 | 63% | $18,988 | $25,697 |
| 43 | Gallaudet University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,090 | 14 | 47% | $14,382 | — |
| 44 | Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,088 | 23 | 57% | — | $22,500 |
| 45 | University of Dayton Dayton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,011 | 29 | 80% | $28,560 | $26,000 |
| 46 | Husson University Bangor, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,993 | 76 | 59% | $18,839 | $28,769 |
| 47 | Emory University Atlanta, GA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,974 | 87 | 91% | $20,586 | $19,883 |
| 48 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,920 | 1 | 65% | — | $19,500 |
| 49 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,703 | 153 | 49% | — | $26,808 |
| 50 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,676 | 11 | 67% | $27,455 | $27,000 |
Offered across 53 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1128, Exercise Physiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Sports program can pursue careers in various fields, including fitness management, exercise science, and sports administration. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 9.5% and approximately 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for positions in this field is around $58,160, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Sports
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 31.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 31.05 (Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness) maps to 7 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9072 | Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling |
| 25-1193 | Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 27-2021 | Athletes and Sports Competitors |
| 27-2022 | Coaches and Scouts |
| 29-1128 | Exercise Physiologistsprimary |
| 29-9091 | Athletic Trainers |
| 39-9031 | Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Sports programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
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.
Concentrations within Sports
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, GeneralCIP 31.0501
A general program that focuses on activities and principles that promote physical fitness, achieve and maintain athletic prowess, and accomplish related research and service goals
- Sport and Fitness Administration/ManagementCIP 31.0504
A program that prepares individuals to apply business, coaching and physical education principles to the organization, administration and management of athletic programs and teams, fitness/rehabilitat
- Exercise Science and KinesiologyCIP 31.0505
A scientific program that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation
- Physical Fitness TechnicianCIP 31.0507
A program that prepares individuals for employment in health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, hospitals and corporate fitness programs where they will per
- Sports StudiesCIP 31.0508
A program that focuses on the psychological, sociological, and historical aspects of sport and physical activity
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, OtherCIP 31.0599
Any instructional program in sports, kinesiology, and physical education/fitness not listed above.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Sports program?+
The program focuses on physical activity, fitness, and recreation, preparing students for careers in health and wellness.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and exercise program development.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.5% and about 1,700 annual openings.
What is the typical education required for careers in this field?+
Most positions require a Bachelor's degree in Sports, Kinesiology, or a related field.
How much do Sports graduates earn?+
Sports graduates report median earnings of $30,469 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Exercise Physiologists occupation pays about $60,940 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Sports?+
Sports maps to CIP 31.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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