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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Exercise Physiology Schools in North Carolina

4 Colleges in the United States
620 Exercise Physiology Degrees Awarded
$45,073 Avg Early-Career Salary

Exercise Physiology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their exercise physiology programs.

College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best exercise physiology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Exercise Physiology in North Carolina

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the exercise physiology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Exercise Physiology

1

Appalachian State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best exercise physiology schools. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 211 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $42,340 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete this degree. See the full exercise physiology program report for Appalachian State University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the top schools for exercise physiology. This very large public university is located in the city of Charlotte. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 179 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $51,799 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. See the full exercise physiology program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

3

East Carolina University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise physiology, ranking #3. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 130 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $27,494 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,717. Get the full exercise physiology details for East Carolina University

4
Montreat College crest
Montreat College
Montreat, NC

A rank of #4 makes Montreat College one of the top schools for exercise physiology. Located in the suburb of Montreat, Montreat College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Montreat College awarded about 10 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Montreat College generally make around $29,234. Students borrow a median of $24,168 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise physiology program at Montreat College

5

Queens University Of Charlotte is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise physiology, ranking #5. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Queens University Of Charlotte awarded about 14 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $59,654 in their early career. Queens University Of Charlotte graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the exercise physiology program at Queens University Of Charlotte

6

Winston Salem State University placed #6 among the best exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Winston Salem State University graduates 47% of students within six years. There were roughly 43 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Winston Salem State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $43,969. Typical student debt for the program is $27,653. More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Winston Salem State University

7
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University earned the #7 position for exercise physiology this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Gardner Webb University graduates 54% of students within six years. Gardner Webb University awarded about 21 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $63,220. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full exercise physiology details for Gardner Webb University

8

North Carolina Central University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best exercise physiology schools. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. North Carolina Central University awarded about 12 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $42,873 in their early career. North Carolina Central University graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. See the full exercise physiology program report for North Carolina Central University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 8 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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