by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study exercise science and kinesiology, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 353 schools ranked on how well they support veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology, using our 2026 methodology.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. To help you decide, College Factual reviewed colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Want to compare schools head to head? Check out our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Explore the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans at a specific degree level:
Explore the leading exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans below:
Our analysis ranked University of Delaware the #1 college for veteran and military-affiliated students pursuing a degree in exercise science and kinesiology. University of Delaware scores 91.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for University of Delaware
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a great choice for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology, landing the #2 spot this year. It scores 90.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about exercise science and kinesiology at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ohio State University-Main Campus is a great choice for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology, landing the #3 spot this year. The school's overall veterans score is 89.9 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. Read more about exercise science and kinesiology at Ohio State University-Main Campus
A rank of #4 makes University of Michigan-Ann Arbor one of the top exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veteran students. It scores 89.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 100.0 veteran-support score. See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Veteran students seeking a strong exercise science and kinesiology program will find one at University of Georgia, which ranked #5. It scores 89.3 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score.
More about the exercise science and kinesiology program at University of Georgia
5
Rutgers University-New Brunswick placed #6 among the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 88.8 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 100.0 veteran-support score. See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for Rutgers University-New Brunswick
East Carolina University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. It scores 88.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0. Read more about exercise science and kinesiology at East Carolina University
The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #8 spot for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology. It scores 87.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0. See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for The University of Texas at Arlington
University of Nevada-Las Vegas ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. It scores 87.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 100.0 veteran-support score. Read more about exercise science and kinesiology at University of Nevada-Las Vegas
University of Virginia-Main Campus landed the #10 spot for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology. It scores 87.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
More about the exercise science and kinesiology program at University of Virginia-Main Campus
10
Winona State University placed #11 among the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 86.3 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the exercise science and kinesiology program at Winona State University
Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #12 spot for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology. Citadel Military College of South Carolina scores 85.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. More about the exercise science and kinesiology program at Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Western Michigan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 85.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0. More about the exercise science and kinesiology program at Western Michigan University
University of Arkansas placed #14 among the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. University of Arkansas scores 85.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for University of Arkansas
University of Alabama in Huntsville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 85.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0.
See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for University of Alabama in Huntsville
15
University of Maryland-College Park placed #16 among the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. University of Maryland-College Park scores 85.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for University of Maryland-College Park
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse placed #17 among the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse scores 85.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. Read more about exercise science and kinesiology at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee placed #18 among the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee scores 84.7 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0. Read more about exercise science and kinesiology at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Iowa State University landed the #19 spot for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology. It scores 84.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the exercise science and kinesiology program at Iowa State University
University of Connecticut ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 84.3 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
More about the exercise science and kinesiology program at University of Connecticut
20
Eastern Michigan University placed #21 among the best exercise science and kinesiology colleges for veterans. It scores 84.3 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. Read more about exercise science and kinesiology at Eastern Michigan University
University of Kansas came in at #22 for veteran exercise science and kinesiology students this year. University of Kansas scores 84.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for University of Kansas
University of Southern Indiana landed the #23 spot for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology. It scores 83.8 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. More about the exercise science and kinesiology program at University of Southern Indiana
Miami University-Oxford landed the #24 spot for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology. Miami University-Oxford scores 83.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about exercise science and kinesiology at Miami University-Oxford
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #25 spot for veterans pursuing exercise science and kinesiology. University of Nebraska at Omaha scores 83.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 100.0. See the full exercise science and kinesiology report for University of Nebraska at Omaha
Not far behind, these exercise science and kinesiology colleges also rank among the best for veterans this year:
Click a college name to learn more:
| Rank | College | Veterans Score |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Texas Woman’s University | 80.41 |
| 52 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus | 80.30 |
| 53 | University of Illinois Chicago | 80.19 |
These schools also stood out:
| Rank | College | Veterans Score |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Eastern Kentucky University | 79.91 |
| 55 | Carroll University | 79.73 |
| 56 | University of Southern Mississippi | 79.54 |
| 57 | Winthrop University | 79.45 |
| 58 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | 79.31 |
| 59 | CUNY Queens College | 79.22 |
| 60 | Western Oregon University | 79.08 |
| 61 | Longwood University | 78.84 |
| 62 | Georgia College & State University | 78.70 |
| 63 | Central Michigan University | 78.64 |
| 64 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | 78.58 |
| 65 | University of Memphis | 78.51 |
| 66 | University of Wyoming | 78.40 |
| 67 | Central Connecticut State University | 78.40 |
| 68 | Southeastern Louisiana University | 78.26 |
| Rank | College | Veterans Score |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Utah State University | 77.99 |
| 70 | Pacific Lutheran University | 77.77 |
| 71 | University of Central Arkansas | 77.55 |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
We measure this ranking on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying exercise science and kinesiology: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
