Best institutions to study Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
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/rehabilitation facilities and health clubs, sport recreation services, and related services.
666 U.S. institutions graduated 18,633 Sport and Fitness Administration/Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 31.0504, a specialization of Sports (CIP 31.05), and leads most directly to the Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors occupation (BLS SOC 39-9031).
About Sport and Fitness Administration/Management programs
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/rehabilitation facilities and health clubs, sport recreation services, and related services. Includes instruction in program planning and development; business and financial management principles; sales, marketing and recruitment; event promotion, scheduling and management; facilities management; public relations; legal aspects of sports; and applicable health and safety standards.
See also: 31.0508 - Sports Studies., 09.0906 - Sports Communication.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Sport and Fitness Administration/Management program prepares individuals to effectively manage and lead athletic programs, fitness facilities, and health clubs. This program is ideal for those interested in combining business principles with a passion for sports and fitness, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in various roles within the industry.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in business and financial management, program planning, event promotion, and public relations. Coursework also emphasizes health and safety standards, legal aspects of sports, and effective communication skills necessary for working with diverse populations.
Credentials awarded
What Sport and Fitness Administration/Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree12,398 graduates / yr · 510 institutions67%
- Master's degree5,024 graduates / yr · 220 institutions27%
- Associate's degree434 graduates / yr · 66 institutions2.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate288 graduates / yr · 39 institutions1.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year222 graduates / yr · 35 institutions1.2%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years81 graduates / yr · 12 institutions0.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks68 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.4%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship66 graduates / yr · 7 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate49 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.3%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 10,482 |
| 2013 | 11,171 |
| 2014 | 12,739 |
| 2015 | 13,222 |
| 2016 | 14,246 |
| 2017 | 14,897 |
| 2018 | 15,574 |
| 2019 | 15,663 |
| 2020 | 15,981 |
| 2021 | 16,709 |
| 2022 | 17,185 |
| 2023 | 16,808 |
| 2024 | 17,215 |
| 2025 | 18,633 |
Top 50 institutions for Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, 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 South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 357 | 79% | — | $40,702 |
| 2 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 354 | 69% | — | $31,956 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of less than 12 weeksPost-degree cert. | 343 | 91% | — | $39,717 |
| 4 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 265 | 86% | — | $29,519 |
| 5 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 262 | 84% | — | $37,044 |
| 6 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 248 | 80% | — | $35,955 |
| 7 | Concordia University - Irvine Irvine, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 238 | 58% | $26,609 | $24,522 |
| 8 | Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 238 | 43% | $34,565 | $39,092 |
| 9 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 236 | 65% | $28,911 | $27,423 |
| 10 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 228 | 74% | — | $27,374 |
| 11 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 208 | 93% | — | $43,506 |
| 12 | American Public University System Charles Town, WVPrivate for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 207 | 57% | $10,199 | $51,381 |
| 13 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 187 | 75% | — | $34,268 |
| 14 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 180 | 75% | — | $31,998 |
| 15 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor's | 178 | 90% | — | $33,108 |
| 16 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor's | 178 | 88% | — | $36,592 |
| 17 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 173 | 80% | — | $40,486 |
| 18 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 171 | 61% | — | $33,241 |
| 19 | Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OKPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 166 | 32% | — | — |
| 20 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 161 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 21 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 152 | 69% | — | $33,705 |
| 22 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor's | 149 | 85% | — | $33,717 |
| 23 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 146 | 68% | — | $28,289 |
| 24 | Arkansas State University Jonesboro, ARPublicMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 141 | 55% | — | $32,685 |
| 25 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 141 | 83% | — | $36,419 |
| 26 | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NCPublicBachelor's | 138 | 57% | — | $26,498 |
| 27 | Coastal Carolina University Conway, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 137 | 48% | — | $27,920 |
| 28 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert. | 136 | 52% | — | $30,469 |
| 29 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 131 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 30 | Southern Methodist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 124 | 84% | $33,246 | $45,519 |
| 31 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 123 | 75% | — | $29,322 |
| 32 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 120 | 64% | $33,070 | $30,554 |
| 33 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 112 | 69% | — | $33,891 |
| 34 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 107 | 84% | — | $28,820 |
| 35 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 104 | 84% | $28,851 | $34,821 |
| 36 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor's | 99 | 69% | — | $32,101 |
| 37 | University of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 98 | 70% | $37,121 | $26,496 |
| 38 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 96 | 85% | — | $36,050 |
| 39 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert.Bachelor's | 94 | 49% | — | $39,049 |
| 40 | Monroe University Bronx, NYPrivate for-profitAssociate'sBachelor's | 92 | 57% | $12,028 | $11,749 |
| 41 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 89 | 65% | — | $35,165 |
| 42 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 88 | 66% | $27,359 | $27,534 |
| 43 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 86 | 46% | — | $29,989 |
| 44 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 85 | 73% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 84 | 65% | — | $30,035 |
| 46 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor's | 84 | 89% | — | $35,583 |
| 47 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 83 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 48 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 82 | 60% | — | $30,815 |
| 49 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 80 | 55% | — | $29,320 |
| 50 | University of North Florida Jacksonville, FLPublicBachelor's | 78 | 69% | — | $33,364 |
* 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 50 states & territories
Where Sport and Fitness Administration/Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Sports programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 39-9031, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, and its national outlook.
Graduates can pursue careers as Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, Coaches and Scouts, or Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers. The job outlook for this field is much faster than average, with an expected growth of 11.9% and approximately 74,200 annual openings, offering a median wage of $46,180.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 31.0504
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 Trainers and Group Fitness Instructorsprimary SOC 39-9031 | $47,160 | +11.9% Much faster than average | ~74,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Coaches and Scouts SOC 27-2022 | $47,320 | +6.4% Faster than average | ~41,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling SOC 11-9072 | $79,520 | +7.7% Faster than average | ~5,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1193 | $77,270 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management 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
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
- Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
- Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
- Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
- Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
- Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
Tools and technology used
Other Sports specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Sports (CIP 31.05).
- Exercise Science and KinesiologyCIP 31.050532,855 graduates / yr823 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 degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and program planning.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as an Exercise Trainer, Coach, or Recreation Manager, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 11.9% and 74,200 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Sport and Fitness Administration/Management?+
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management is CIP 31.0504 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Sports (CIP 31.05). NCES defines it as: 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/rehabilitation facilities and health clubs, sport recreation services, and related services. Includes instruction in program planning and development; business and financial management principles; sales, marketing and recruitment; event promotion, scheduling and management; facilities management; public relations; legal aspects of sports; and applicable health and safety standards.
How many institutions offer Sport and Fitness Administration/Management programs?+
666 U.S. institutions reported Sport and Fitness Administration/Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 50 states & territories, awarding 18,633 credentials in the year. That is 27.6% of all Sports graduates.
How much do Sport and Fitness Administration/Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors occupation, which Sport and Fitness Administration/Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $47,160 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Sports field report median earnings of $31,005 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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