Best institutions to study Sports Studies
A program that focuses on the psychological, sociological, and historical aspects of sport and physical activity.
47 U.S. institutions graduated 545 Sports Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 31.0508, a specialization of Sports (CIP 31.05), and leads most directly to the Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1193).
About Sports Studies programs
A program that focuses on the psychological, sociological, and historical aspects of sport and physical activity. Includes instruction in theory of sport, sport psychology, sport in American society, gender and race/ethnicity and sport, and sports history.
See also: 31.0504 - Sport and Fitness Administration/Management., 09.0906 - Sports Communication., 42.2815 - Performance and Sport Psychology.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Sports Studies program focuses on the psychological, sociological, and historical aspects of sport and physical activity. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the multifaceted nature of sports, including its impact on society, gender, and race/ethnicity. Graduates will explore various theories and concepts that shape the world of sports today.
Students in the Sports Studies program will develop essential skills such as speaking, active listening, and critical thinking. Coursework includes subjects like sport psychology, the theory of sport, and the historical context of sports, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Credentials awarded
What Sports Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree288 graduates / yr · 28 institutions53%
- Master's degree168 graduates / yr · 13 institutions31%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year75 graduates / yr · 5 institutions14%
- Associate's degree12 graduates / yr · 2 institutions2.2%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Sports Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 284 |
| 2013 | 364 |
| 2014 | 323 |
| 2015 | 307 |
| 2016 | 331 |
| 2017 | 334 |
| 2018 | 345 |
| 2019 | 359 |
| 2020 | 456 |
| 2021 | 583 |
| 2022 | 559 |
| 2023 | 582 |
| 2024 | 576 |
| 2025 | 545 |
Top 47 institutions for Sports Studies, 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 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KYPublicBachelor's | 70 | 56% | — | $25,858 |
| 2 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 45 | 85% | — | $24,916 |
| 3 | Manhattanville University Purchase, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 58% | $23,949 | $25,592 |
| 4 | Springfield College - Regional, Online, and Continuing Education Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | — | — | $34,191 |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts - Boston Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 27 | 49% | — | $37,703 |
| 6 | Denison University Granville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 79% | $23,864 | — |
| 7 | Adler University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 21 | — | — | — |
| 8 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 68% | — | $32,651 |
| 9 | Randolph College Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 46% | $18,525 | — |
| 10 | Adams State University Alamosa, COPublicMaster's | 19 | 39% | — | $30,045 |
| 11 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 86% | $33,106 | — |
| 12 | Southwestern College Winfield, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 17 | 36% | $26,868 | — |
| 13 | National University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 14 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 14 | John Carroll University University Heights, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 79% | $25,705 | $27,971 |
| 15 | Springfield College Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 13 | 74% | $26,290 | $34,191 |
| 16 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MNPublicMaster's | 13 | 54% | — | $32,860 |
| 17 | Cumberland University Lebanon, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 46% | $19,206 | — |
| 18 | Texas Southern University Houston, TXPublicMaster's | 12 | 22% | — | $32,409 |
| 19 | Young Harris College Young Harris, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 11 | 42% | $10,832 | — |
| 20 | Erie Community College Buffalo, NYPublicAssociate's | 10 | 28% | — | — |
| 21 | Shenandoah University Winchester, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 67% | $27,455 | $37,676 |
| 22 | McPherson College McPherson, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 9 | 34% | $24,595 | — |
| 23 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicBachelor's | 8 | 75% | — | $31,998 |
| 24 | McKendree University Lebanon, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 53% | $23,994 | $31,259 |
| 25 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 67% | — | — |
| 26 | Earlham College Richmond, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 6 | 69% | $23,213 | — |
| 27 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicMaster's | 5 | 62% | — | $35,500 |
| 28 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicBachelor's | 5 | 68% | — | $28,289 |
| 29 | Tiffin University Tiffin, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 40% | $24,126 | — |
| 30 | Ottawa University - Ottawa Ottawa, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 28% | $26,935 | $30,426 |
| 31 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 3 | 68% | — | — |
| 32 | Bethel University Mishawaka, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 53% | $19,676 | $26,799 |
| 33 | Methodist University Fayetteville, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 44% | $24,551 | $28,270 |
| 34 | United States Sports University Daphne, ALPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | — | — | — |
| 35 | Post University Waterbury, CTPrivate for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 25% | $14,659 | $29,592 |
| 36 | University of Saint Mary Leavenworth, KSPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 48% | $22,730 | $29,151 |
| 37 | Hillsdale College Hillsdale, MIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 90% | — | — |
| 38 | Concordia University - Saint Paul Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 46% | $17,328 | $33,744 |
| 39 | SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton, NYPublicAssociate's | 2 | 23% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Mary Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 67% | $16,753 | — |
| 41 | Lake Erie College Painesville, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 38% | $21,063 | — |
| 42 | Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 51% | $25,162 | $46,359 |
| 43 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 83% | — | $26,687 |
| 44 | Huntington University Huntington, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 64% | $13,056 | — |
| 45 | Upper Iowa University Fayette, IAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 34% | $22,697 | — |
| 46 | University of the Cumberlands Williamsburg, KYPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 50% | $11,672 | $31,401 |
| 47 | Ottawa University - Surprise Surprise, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 18% | $34,373 | $30,426 |
* 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 24 states
Where Sports Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Sports programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1193, Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Sports Studies program can pursue careers as Postsecondary Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 annual openings. The median wage for these professionals is $75,890, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 31.0508
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1193 | $77,270 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Sports Studies 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
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as anatomy, therapeutic recreation, and conditioning theory.
- Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
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
- 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
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Sports Studies?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and more.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Sports Studies?+
You can work as a Postsecondary Recreation and Fitness Studies Teacher or in related fields.
What is the job outlook for Sports Studies graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 1,100 annual openings expected.
What is the CIP code for Sports Studies?+
Sports Studies is CIP 31.0508 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 focuses on the psychological, sociological, and historical aspects of sport and physical activity. Includes instruction in theory of sport, sport psychology, sport in American society, gender and race/ethnicity and sport, and sports history.
How many institutions offer Sports Studies programs?+
47 U.S. institutions reported Sports Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 24 states, awarding 545 credentials in the year. That is 0.8% of all Sports graduates.
How much do Sports Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Sports Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $77,270 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Sports field report median earnings of $31,259 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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