2026 Best Exercise Science Schools in California

1

Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA

Our analysis ranked Pepperdine University the best school in the country for a degree in exercise science. Pepperdine University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Malibu. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 49 exercise science degrees were awarded at Pepperdine University in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $34,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,336 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for Pepperdine University

2

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $36,342. Students borrow a median of $24,905 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of San Francisco

3

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise science, ranking #3. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 74 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $49,053. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Point Loma Nazarene University

4

Saint Marys College Of California
Moraga, CA

A rank of #4 makes Saint Marys College Of California one of the top schools for exercise science. Saint Marys College Of California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moraga. Saint Marys College Of California graduates 70% of students within six years. Saint Marys College Of California awarded about 21 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Marys College Of California generally make around $49,447. Saint Marys College Of California graduates carry a median of $24,300 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from Saint Marys College Of California

5

California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #5 spot this year. California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Thousand Oaks. About 70% of students finish within six years. California Lutheran University awarded about 39 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of California Lutheran University earn a median of $33,818 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full exercise science program report for California Lutheran University

6

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #6 position for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 14 exercise science degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Santa Rosa Junior College earn around $80,047 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. See the full exercise science program report for Santa Rosa Junior College

7

Concordia University Irvine
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine earned the #7 position for exercise science this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 40 exercise science degrees were awarded at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Concordia University Irvine earn around $43,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full exercise science details for Concordia University Irvine

8

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for exercise science this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. California State University Los Angeles graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $28,687. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for California State University Los Angeles

9

Cabrillo College
Aptos, CA

Cabrillo College came in at #9 for exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. About 37 exercise science degrees were awarded at Cabrillo College in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $38,985 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,864 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for Cabrillo College

10

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico placed #10 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 92 exercise science degrees were awarded at California State University Chico in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from California State University Chico earn around $28,236 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,315 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise science program at California State University Chico

11

Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Moorpark College landed the #11 spot for exercise science this year. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. There were roughly 38 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Moorpark College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $105,599 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,075. Read more about the exercise science program at Moorpark College

12

De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College placed #12 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. There were roughly 37 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at De Anza College in the most recent data year. Typical student debt for the program is $7,271. See the full exercise science program report for De Anza College

13

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus landed the #13 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. California State University Stanislaus graduates 53% of students within six years. California State University Stanislaus awarded about 51 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $25,414 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,085. Get the full exercise science details for California State University Stanislaus

14

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College placed #14 among the best exercise science schools. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Occidental College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Occidental College earn around $41,514 in the first couple years of their career. Occidental College graduates carry a median of $22,967 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for Occidental College

15

Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA

Pasadena City College landed the #15 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. Pasadena City College awarded about 91 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Pasadena City College graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for Pasadena City College

16

Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College placed #16 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. About 17 exercise science degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Diablo Valley College graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from Diablo Valley College

17

Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College placed #17 among the best exercise science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. About 24 exercise science degrees were awarded at Foothill College in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Foothill College earn around $94,152 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,595. More information about a degree in exercise science from Foothill College

18

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College placed #18 among the best exercise science schools. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 28 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. Get the full exercise science details for Orange Coast College

19

Citrus College
Glendora, CA

Citrus College landed the #19 spot for exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Glendora, Citrus College is a large public university. Citrus College awarded about 66 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. See the full exercise science program report for Citrus College

20

Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA

Westmont College landed the #20 spot for exercise science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 exercise science degrees were awarded at Westmont College in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Westmont College earn around $27,708 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,250. Read more about the exercise science program at Westmont College

21

Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College came in at #21 for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cypress. Cypress College awarded about 44 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Read more about the exercise science program at Cypress College

22

Cuesta College
San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the rural area of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a large public university. Cuesta College awarded about 13 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Cuesta College earn around $64,492 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,958 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for Cuesta College

23

San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, CA

San Diego Miramar College landed the #23 spot for exercise science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. There were roughly 11 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at San Diego Miramar College in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. San Diego Miramar College graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for San Diego Miramar College

24

Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College came in at #24 for exercise science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Santa Barbara. There were roughly 23 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Santa Barbara City College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $68,184 in their early career. Santa Barbara City College graduates carry a median of $21,090 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for Santa Barbara City College

25

Simpson University
Redding, CA

Simpson University landed the #25 spot for exercise science this year. Located in the city of Redding, Simpson University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Simpson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Simpson University generally make around $59,718. Students borrow a median of $22,648 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Simpson University