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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Exercise Physiology Schools in the The Plains States Region

8 Colleges in the United States
601 Exercise Physiology Degrees Awarded
$41,698 Avg Early-Career Salary

Exercise Physiology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for exercise physiology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Exercise Physiology in the The Plains States Region

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

No school ranked higher than University Of Minnesota Twin Cities this year for exercise physiology. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 181 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $31,613. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Read more about the exercise physiology program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2

Saint Ambrose University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in exercise physiology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 10 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Saint Ambrose University earn around $57,252 in the first couple years of their career. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $27,528 in student loans. Read more about the exercise physiology program at Saint Ambrose University

3

University Of Missouri Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise physiology, ranking #3. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 10 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise physiology details for University Of Missouri Columbia

4

Wichita State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in exercise physiology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Wichita State University graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Wichita State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Wichita State University earn around $32,196 in the first couple years of their career. Wichita State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full exercise physiology program report for Wichita State University

5

Kansas State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best exercise physiology schools. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 130 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Kansas State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $31,958 in their early career. Kansas State University graduates carry a median of $22,775 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Kansas State University

6

Creighton University earned the #6 position for exercise physiology this year. Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 67 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at Creighton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Creighton University generally make around $23,926. Creighton University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full exercise physiology details for Creighton University

7
Saint Johns University crest
Saint Johns University
Collegeville, MN

Saint Johns University placed #7 among the best exercise physiology schools. Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Collegeville. Saint Johns University graduates 75% of students within six years. About 18 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at Saint Johns University in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $47,238 in their early career. Saint Johns University graduates carry a median of $26,646 in student loans. See the full exercise physiology program report for Saint Johns University

8

Bethany Lutheran College earned the #8 position for exercise physiology this year. Bethany Lutheran College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Mankato. About 55% of students finish within six years. Bethany Lutheran College awarded about 12 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Bethany Lutheran College earn around $44,462 in the first couple years of their career. Bethany Lutheran College graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Bethany Lutheran College

9

Northern State University placed #9 among the best exercise physiology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Aberdeen. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at Northern State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Northern State University generally make around $45,824. Typical student debt for the program is $26,143. More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Northern State University

10

The College Of Saint Scholastica landed the #10 spot for exercise physiology this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Duluth. The College Of Saint Scholastica graduates 70% of students within six years. About 48 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at The College Of Saint Scholastica in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $45,718 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Get the full exercise physiology details for The College Of Saint Scholastica

11
College Of Saint Benedict crest
College Of Saint Benedict
Saint Joseph, MN

College Of Saint Benedict earned the #11 position for exercise physiology this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Joseph, College Of Saint Benedict is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. College Of Saint Benedict awarded about 14 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Physiology graduates of College Of Saint Benedict earn a median of $47,105 early in their careers. College Of Saint Benedict graduates carry a median of $26,619 in student loans. See the full exercise physiology program report for College Of Saint Benedict

12
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA

Central College earned the #12 position for exercise physiology this year. Central College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Pella. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at Central College in the most recent year. Exercise Physiology graduates of Central College earn a median of $39,953 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Central College

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 18 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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