by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology involves the study of Exercise Physiology And Kinesiology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Physiological Processes Involved In Physical Or Motor Activity, Including Sensorimotor Interactions, Response Mechanisms, And The Effects Of Injury, Disease, And Disability. Includes Instruction In Muscular And Skeletal Anatomy; Molecular And Cellular Basis Of Muscle Contraction; Fuel Utilization; Neurophysiology Of Motor Mechanics; Systemic Physiological Responses (Respiration, Blood Flow, Endocrine Secretions, And Others); Fatigue And Exhaustion; Muscle And Body Training; Physiology Of Specific Exercises And Activities; Physiology Of Injury; And The Effects Of Disabilities And Disease. Continue reading for the key facts every exercise physiology and kinesiology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering exercise physiology and kinesiology programs.
Nationwide, exercise physiology and kinesiology is a popular field of study, with 7,132 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology Schools ranking analyzes these 147 schools to determine the best overall colleges for exercise physiology and kinesiology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of exercise physiology and kinesiology programs later in this article.
Programs in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations exercise physiology and kinesiology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a exercise physiology and kinesiology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a exercise physiology and kinesiology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several exercise physiology and kinesiology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,832 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,185 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 110 |
People currently working in careers related to exercise physiology and kinesiology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 49.1% |
| Master’s degree | 29.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in exercise physiology and kinesiology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in exercise physiology and kinesiology opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to exercise physiology and kinesiology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to exercise physiology and kinesiology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | 1,771,772 | 1.7% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of exercise physiology and kinesiology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,024 |
| 4 years | $53,598 |
| 5 years | $65,802 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for exercise physiology and kinesiology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers exercise physiology and kinesiology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | $144,072 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 147 different exercise physiology and kinesiology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased exercise physiology and kinesiology school rankings to help you.
Those considering exercise physiology and kinesiology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physiology, General | 2,816 |
| Pathology/Experimental Pathology | 306 |
| Vision Science/Physiological Optics | 269 |
| Oncology and Cancer Biology | 193 |
| Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other | 148 |
| Biomechanics | 62 |
| Cardiovascular Science | 62 |
| Molecular Physiology | 52 |
| Cell Physiology | 51 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
