Virginia · Physiology

Best colleges for Physiology in Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

Liberty University, Shenandoah University and University of Lynchburg award the most Physiology degrees and certificates in Virginia: 189, 47 and 42 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Virginia colleges offer Physiology and award 325 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Physiology program, officially titled Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences, is a branch of biological and biomedical sciences focused on the study of functions and mechanisms in living systems. This program is ideal for students…

Institutions
7
offering CIP 26.09
States offered
49
with a program page
Degrees / yr
325
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$24,058
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$27,455
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
63%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Exercise Physiologists
$59,230
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Shenandoah University
Winchester Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$24,0584767%$27,455$20,750

Colleges awarding the most Physiology degrees in Virginia

Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Liberty University
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit
189Not reported
2Shenandoah University
Winchester Private not-for-profit
47$24,058
3University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg Private not-for-profit
42Not reported
4Old Dominion University
Norfolk Public
26Not reported
5Averett University
Danville Private not-for-profit
10Not reported
6Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond Public
7Not reported
7University of Virginia
Charlottesville Public
4Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Exercise Physiologists (SOC 29-1128).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+9.5%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~1,700
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$58,160
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Critical ThinkingActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionWritingMonitoring

What Exercise Physiologists earn in Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
240
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$59,230
median $52,400
Best-paying metro
$69,110
Richmond, VA

Related careers

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$93,310 avg · 1,760 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$102,970 avg · 1,650 jobs
Exercise Physiologists
$59,230 avg · 240 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Physiology programs in Virginia.

Which Virginia colleges award the most Physiology degrees?+

Liberty University (189 graduates a year), Shenandoah University (47 graduates a year) and University of Lynchburg (42 graduates a year) award the most Physiology degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Virginia colleges offer Physiology.

Which Physiology program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Shenandoah University tops the list at $24,058. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Exercise Physiologists earn in Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Exercise Physiologists in Virginia is $59,230 (median $52,400), across about 240 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Physiology program?+

The Physiology program, officially titled Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences, is a branch of biological and biomedical sciences focused on the study of functions and mechanisms in living systems. This program is ideal for students…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop critical thinking, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Exercise Physiologists?+

The national job outlook is about +9.5% growth with around 1,700 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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