Best colleges for Sports
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Sports by graduate earnings are Rice University ($51,110), Simmons University ($48,876) and Lubbock Christian University ($46,359), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Rice University (Houston, TX): $51,110, 39 graduates a year
- Simmons University (Boston, MA): $48,876, 21 graduates a year
- Lubbock Christian University (Lubbock, TX): $46,359, 22 graduates a year
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville (Platteville, WI): $46,027, 38 graduates a year
- Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX): $45,519, 124 graduates a year
Compare 1,324 U.S. colleges offering Sports by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 53 states.
Sports programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $30,469 (College Scorecard, 2019), 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 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $51,110 | 39 | 95% | $13,264 | $10,000 |
| 2 | Simmons University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $48,876 | 21 | 72% | $24,848 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,359 | 22 | 51% | $25,162 | $27,000 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,027 | 38 | 56% | — | $27,000 |
| 5 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,519 | 124 | 84% | $33,246 | $20,475 |
| 6 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,727 | 58 | 75% | — | $22,250 |
| 7 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,506 | 406 | 93% | — | $19,135 |
| 8 | Winona State University Winona, MN Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,742 | 44 | 57% | — | $25,550 |
| 9 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,161 | 82 | 32% | — | $22,292 |
| 10 | South Dakota State University Brookings, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,019 | 57 | 62% | — | $25,500 |
| 11 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,702 | 357 | 79% | — | $25,000 |
| 12 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,683 | 67 | 47% | — | $25,661 |
| 13 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,486 | 404 | 80% | — | $25,000 |
| 14 | Ohio Dominican University Columbus, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,467 | 32 | 41% | $19,408 | $27,000 |
| 15 | University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,453 | 56 | 51% | $21,745 | $30,718 |
| 16 | West Texas A & M University Canyon, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,313 | 71 | 55% | — | $22,500 |
| 17 | Northern State University Aberdeen, SD Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,123 | 29 | 49% | — | $24,500 |
| 18 | Sul Ross State University Alpine, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,723 | 66 | 30% | — | $27,670 |
| 19 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,717 | 343 | 91% | — | $19,982 |
| 20 | Longwood University Farmville, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,479 | 26 | 61% | — | $27,000 |
| 21 | Seton Hall University South Orange, NJ Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,333 | 26 | 69% | $27,376 | $24,125 |
| 22 | Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,243 | 76 | 65% | $24,925 | $27,000 |
| 23 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,059 | 46 | 46% | — | $19,588 |
| 24 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,049 | 252 | 49% | — | $23,770 |
| 25 | Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,796 | 48 | 77% | $21,607 | $27,000 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cabrillo College Aptos, CA Public · Certificate | $38,985 | 218 | 38% | — | $8,864 |
| 2 | Lionel University Carpinteria, CA Private for-profit · Associate degree Online | $46,831 | 45 | 67% | $28,929 | $12,917 |
Specializations within Sports
6 of the 6 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 31.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Exercise Science and KinesiologyCIP 31.050532,855 graduates / yr823 institutions51 states
- Sport and Fitness Administration/CIP 31.0504
Management 18,633 graduates / yr666 institutions50 states - Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/CIP 31.0501
Fitness 12,973 graduates / yr370 institutions50 states - Physical Fitness TechnicianCIP 31.05071,451 graduates / yr118 institutions31 states
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/CIP 31.0599
Fitness 1,040 graduates / yr64 institutions29 states - Sports StudiesCIP 31.0508545 graduates / yr47 institutions24 states
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.
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 one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $30,469, College Scorecard (2019); 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.
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card