Best institutions to study Exercise Science and Kinesiology
A scientific program that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation.
823 U.S. institutions graduated 32,855 Exercise Science and Kinesiology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 31.0505, a specialization of Sports (CIP 31.05), and leads most directly to the Exercise Physiologists occupation (BLS SOC 29-1128).
About Exercise Science and Kinesiology programs
A scientific program that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation. Includes instruction in biomechanics, motor behavior, motor development and coordination, motor neurophysiology, performance research, rehabilitative therapies, the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative methods and equipment, and related analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation.
See also: 26.0908 - Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology., 51.2311 - Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist., 51.0913 - Athletic Training/Trainer., 13.1314 - Physical Education Teaching and Coaching., 26.0913 - Biomechanics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Exercise Science and Kinesiology program, with a focus on Sports, is designed for individuals interested in understanding the scientific principles behind human movement. This program is ideal for students eager to explore the anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics of exercise, as well as therapeutic rehabilitation techniques. It prepares graduates to apply their knowledge in various fitness and health-related settings.
Students in this program will develop critical skills in areas such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework includes topics in biomechanics, motor behavior, and rehabilitative therapies, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to design exercise programs and evaluate participant progress.
Credentials awarded
What Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree26,866 graduates / yr · 583 institutions82%
- Associate's degree2,818 graduates / yr · 195 institutions8.6%
- Master's degree2,767 graduates / yr · 178 institutions8.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship242 graduates / yr · 39 institutions0.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year112 graduates / yr · 19 institutions0.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate22 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.1%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years16 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks7 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Exercise Science and Kinesiology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 19,176 |
| 2013 | 21,926 |
| 2014 | 23,773 |
| 2015 | 26,100 |
| 2016 | 27,749 |
| 2017 | 29,528 |
| 2018 | 30,099 |
| 2019 | 30,575 |
| 2020 | 30,953 |
| 2021 | 32,617 |
| 2022 | 32,316 |
| 2023 | 32,143 |
| 2024 | 31,894 |
| 2025 | 32,855 |
Top 50 institutions for Exercise Science 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 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 577 | 80% | — | $35,873 |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 431 | 75% | — | $31,998 |
| 3 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 421 | 78% | — | — |
| 4 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 385 | 57% | $10,199 | $51,381 |
| 5 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 371 | 84% | — | $37,044 |
| 6 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 363 | 81% | — | $28,045 |
| 7 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 352 | 51% | — | $32,305 |
| 8 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 351 | 55% | — | $33,033 |
| 9 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 351 | 53% | — | $30,160 |
| 10 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 325 | 74% | — | $27,374 |
| 11 | Concordia University - Chicago River Forest, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 308 | 36% | $17,620 | $29,231 |
| 12 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 298 | 48% | — | $36,117 |
| 13 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 281 | 65% | — | $30,035 |
| 14 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 271 | 67% | — | $29,654 |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - La Crosse La Crosse, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 262 | 71% | — | $30,993 |
| 16 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 258 | 73% | — | — |
| 17 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 257 | 55% | — | $29,320 |
| 18 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 248 | 67% | — | $35,326 |
| 19 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 244 | 51% | — | $29,123 |
| 20 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 241 | 89% | — | $35,583 |
| 21 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 228 | 89% | — | $31,403 |
| 22 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 227 | 80% | — | $40,486 |
| 23 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 226 | 61% | — | $35,039 |
| 24 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 222 | 85% | — | $31,187 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 221 | 86% | — | $30,133 |
| 26 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 210 | 75% | — | $36,492 |
| 27 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 202 | 90% | — | $33,108 |
| 28 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 202 | 69% | — | $33,891 |
| 29 | The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 198 | 54% | — | $30,499 |
| 30 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 196 | 63% | — | $30,412 |
| 31 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 196 | 70% | — | $29,860 |
| 32 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 190 | 84% | — | $28,820 |
| 33 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPublicBachelor's | 184 | 50% | — | $29,772 |
| 34 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 182 | 56% | — | $29,482 |
| 35 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor's | 174 | 71% | — | — |
| 36 | California Baptist University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 168 | 62% | $26,940 | $35,328 |
| 37 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 163 | 65% | $28,911 | $27,423 |
| 38 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor's | 158 | 67% | — | $29,913 |
| 39 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 157 | 81% | — | $26,555 |
| 40 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 157 | 93% | — | $43,506 |
| 41 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor's | 150 | 68% | — | $35,437 |
| 42 | Coastal Carolina University Conway, SCPublicBachelor's | 150 | 48% | — | $27,920 |
| 43 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 150 | 52% | — | $32,632 |
| 44 | The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 145 | 50% | — | $23,010 |
| 45 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 144 | 65% | — | $29,907 |
| 46 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor's | 144 | 75% | — | $30,903 |
| 47 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 144 | 90% | — | $29,866 |
| 48 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 140 | 64% | — | $27,626 |
| 49 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 139 | 43% | $21,535 | $34,723 |
| 50 | Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, TXPublicBachelor's | 139 | 43% | — | $25,594 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Sports field (CIP 31.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 51 states & territories
Where Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates come from. Each state links to all Sports programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-1128, Exercise Physiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Exercise Science and Kinesiology program can pursue careers as Exercise Physiologists, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 9.5% and approximately 1,700 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $58,160, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 31.0505
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 |
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 Science 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 Sports specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Sports (CIP 31.05).
- Sport and Fitness Administration/CIP 31.0504
Management 18,633 graduates / yr666 institutions - Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/CIP 31.0501
Fitness 12,973 graduates / yr370 institutions - Physical Fitness TechnicianCIP 31.05071,451 graduates / yr118 institutions
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/CIP 31.0599
Fitness 1,040 graduates / yr64 institutions - Sports StudiesCIP 31.0508545 graduates / yr47 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Associate's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and exercise program design.
What careers can I pursue?+
You can work as an Exercise Physiologist and explore various roles in fitness and rehabilitation.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 9.5%.
What is the CIP code for Exercise Science and Kinesiology?+
Exercise Science and Kinesiology is CIP 31.0505 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Sports (CIP 31.05). NCES defines it as: A scientific program that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation. Includes instruction in biomechanics, motor behavior, motor development and coordination, motor neurophysiology, performance research, rehabilitative therapies, the development of diagnostic and rehabilitative methods and equipment, and related analytical methods and procedures in applied exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation.
How many institutions offer Exercise Science and Kinesiology programs?+
823 U.S. institutions reported Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 51 states & territories, awarding 32,855 credentials in the year. That is 48.7% of all Sports graduates.
How much do Exercise Science and Kinesiology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Exercise Physiologists occupation, which Exercise Science and Kinesiology most directly leads to, pays a median of $59,460 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Sports field report median earnings of $30,407 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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