Best institutions to study Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Any instructional program in sports, kinesiology, and physical education/fitness not listed above.
64 U.S. institutions graduated 1,040 Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 31.0599, a specialization of Sports (CIP 31.05).
About Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness programs
Any instructional program in sports, kinesiology, and physical education/fitness not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Sports program, officially titled 'Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other,' offers students a comprehensive education in the fields of parks, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about promoting physical health and wellness through sports and fitness activities. With a focus on various aspects of physical education, it prepares students for diverse roles in the sports and fitness industry.
Learn more about Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness →
Students in the Sports program will gain knowledge in kinesiology, exercise science, and physical education methodologies. Coursework typically covers topics such as fitness assessment, sports management, and recreational programming, equipping graduates with the skills necessary for a successful career in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree670 graduates / yr · 33 institutions64%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years127 graduates / yr · 2 institutions12%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year75 graduates / yr · 15 institutions7.2%
- Master's degree74 graduates / yr · 8 institutions7.1%
- Associate's degree65 graduates / yr · 15 institutions6.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship15 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.4%
- Award of less than 12 weeks13 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,964 |
| 2013 | 1,566 |
| 2014 | 1,803 |
| 2015 | 1,590 |
| 2016 | 1,588 |
| 2017 | 1,471 |
| 2018 | 1,563 |
| 2019 | 1,509 |
| 2020 | 1,319 |
| 2021 | 1,422 |
| 2022 | 1,348 |
| 2023 | 1,241 |
| 2024 | 1,178 |
| 2025 | 1,040 |
Top 50 institutions for Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, 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 North Georgia Dahlonega, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 172 | 37% | — | $36,740 |
| 2 | NUC University Bayamon, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 126 | 54% | $9,377 | $14,767 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor's | 103 | 90% | — | $29,866 |
| 4 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 62 | 54% | — | $35,613 |
| 5 | Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 43 | 77% | $21,607 | $38,796 |
| 6 | University of Evansville Evansville, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 32 | 64% | $19,593 | $34,809 |
| 7 | Brunswick Community College Bolivia, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 30 | 40% | — | — |
| 8 | Benedictine College Atchison, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 29 | 62% | $24,826 | — |
| 9 | Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MOPublicBachelor's | 24 | 42% | — | $34,465 |
| 10 | Mount Marty University Yankton, SDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 24 | 52% | $22,972 | — |
| 11 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 91% | $20,586 | $37,974 |
| 12 | Canisius University Buffalo, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 66% | $17,353 | $26,254 |
| 13 | Saint Ambrose University Davenport, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 61% | $21,680 | $26,608 |
| 14 | Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 16 | 33% | — | — |
| 15 | Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Santurce, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 16 | 52% | $15,525 | — |
| 16 | Western Illinois University Macomb, ILPublicMaster's | 15 | 45% | — | $28,315 |
| 17 | Valdosta State University Valdosta, GAPublicBachelor's | 14 | 42% | — | $23,364 |
| 18 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 13 | 85% | — | $36,050 |
| 19 | Dickinson State University Dickinson, NDPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 13 | 51% | — | — |
| 20 | Montana State University - Northern Havre, MTPublicBachelor's | 12 | 41% | — | — |
| 21 | Bowling Green State University - Main Campus Bowling Green, OHPublicMaster's | 12 | 64% | — | $31,919 |
| 22 | Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 43% | — | — |
| 23 | Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 24% | — | — |
| 24 | Gaston College Dallas, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 11 | 63% | — | — |
| 25 | Lasell University Newton, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 59% | $23,724 | $36,606 |
| 26 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MOPublicMaster's | 10 | 54% | — | — |
| 27 | Methodist University Fayetteville, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 44% | $24,551 | $28,270 |
| 28 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicDoctoral | 9 | 64% | — | — |
| 29 | William Penn University Oskaloosa, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 33% | $21,533 | $30,314 |
| 30 | Otterbein University Westerville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 68% | $20,150 | $31,851 |
| 31 | Judson University Elgin, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 60% | $25,200 | — |
| 32 | College of the Albemarle Elizabeth City, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 35% | — | — |
| 33 | Coastal Carolina Community College Jacksonville, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 49% | — | — |
| 34 | Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 53% | — | — |
| 35 | Pennsylvania Western University California, PAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 52% | — | $32,632 |
| 36 | Grace College and Theological Seminary Winona Lake, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 69% | $16,216 | $32,549 |
| 37 | Johnston Community College Smithfield, NCPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 37% | — | — |
| 38 | Randolph College Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 46% | $18,525 | — |
| 39 | College of Southern Maryland La Plata, MDPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 33% | — | — |
| 40 | Montgomery College Rockville, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 32% | — | — |
| 41 | Tougaloo College Tougaloo, MSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 33% | $19,069 | — |
| 42 | Saint Peter's University Jersey City, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 58% | $14,440 | $19,735 |
| 43 | Dordt University Sioux Center, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 70% | $24,569 | — |
| 44 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicDoctoral | 4 | 68% | — | $32,651 |
| 45 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 4 | 49% | — | — |
| 46 | Abilene Christian University Abilene, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 59% | $26,342 | $27,898 |
| 47 | Shelton State Community College Tuscaloosa, ALPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 30% | — | — |
| 48 | Asheville - Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville, NCPublicAssociate's | 3 | 40% | — | — |
| 49 | United Tribes Technical College Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 21% | $2,819 | — |
| 50 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PAPublicAssociate's | 3 | 53% | — | — |
* 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 29 states & territories
Where Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness graduates come from. Each state links to all Sports programs offered there.
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
- 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 StudiesCIP 31.0508545 graduates / yr47 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in the Sports program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year, or a Master's degree.
How many colleges offer the Sports program?+
There are 64 colleges in the U.S. that offer the Sports program.
What kind of coursework is included in the program?+
Core coursework typically includes topics in kinesiology, exercise science, and physical education methodologies.
What is the average number of graduates per year?+
Approximately 1,040 students graduate from the Sports program each year in the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness?+
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness is CIP 31.0599 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Sports (CIP 31.05). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in sports, kinesiology, and physical education/fitness not listed above.
How many institutions offer Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness programs?+
64 U.S. institutions reported Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states & territories, awarding 1,040 credentials in the year. That is 1.5% of all Sports graduates.
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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