by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology explores Exercise Science And Kinesiology. A Scientific Program That Focuses On The Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, And Biophysics Of Human Movement, And Applications To Exercise And Therapeutic Rehabilitation. Includes Instruction In Biomechanics, Motor Behavior, Motor Development And Coordination, Motor Neurophysiology, Performance Research, Rehabilitative Therapies, The Development Of Diagnostic And Rehabilitative Methods And Equipment, And Related Analytical Methods And Procedures In Applied Exercise And Therapeutic Rehabilitation. Read on to learn the essential details every exercise science and kinesiology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering exercise science and kinesiology programs.
Across the country, exercise science and kinesiology draws strong interest, with 32,041 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools ranking analyzes these 804 schools to determine the best overall colleges for exercise science and kinesiology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of exercise science and kinesiology programs later in this article.
Programs in Exercise Science and Kinesiology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations exercise science and kinesiology graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a exercise science and kinesiology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a exercise science and kinesiology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several exercise science 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 15 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,805 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 26,218 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,795 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 208 |
People currently working in careers related to exercise science and kinesiology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 59.1% |
| Master’s degree | 31.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in exercise science and kinesiology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in exercise science and kinesiology can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to exercise science and kinesiology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to exercise science and kinesiology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | 1,771,772 | 1.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of exercise science and kinesiology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,425 |
| 4 years | $47,075 |
| 5 years | $55,516 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for exercise science and kinesiology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers exercise science and kinesiology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | $144,072 |
With 804 different exercise science and kinesiology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased exercise science and kinesiology school rankings to help you.
Those considering exercise science and kinesiology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | 17,472 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General | 12,633 |
| Physical Fitness Technician | 1,308 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other | 1,200 |
| Sports Studies | 607 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
