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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

72 Colleges in the United States
4,915 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded
$38,147 Avg Early-Career Salary

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

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 142 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for exercise science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Exercise Science in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall exercise science education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Exercise Science

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Michigan Ann Arbor this year for exercise science. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 151 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $42,490. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 421 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $44,640. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $19,657 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for Indiana University Bloomington

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 208 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $31,187 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $21,425 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

A rank of #4 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the top schools for exercise science. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 36 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $42,137 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

5

Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise science, ranking #5. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 36 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise science program at Loyola University Chicago

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 123 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $29,866. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #7 spot for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 150 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $28,874. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

8

Miami University Oxford came in at #8 for exercise science this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 147 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $42,958 early in their careers. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for Miami University Oxford

9

Illinois State University placed #9 among the best exercise science schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 94 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $37,059 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from Illinois State University

10

Saint Xavier University earned the #10 position for exercise science this year. Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 57% of students finish within six years. About 37 exercise science degrees were awarded at Saint Xavier University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Xavier University generally make around $51,753. Saint Xavier University graduates carry a median of $25,735 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at Saint Xavier University

11
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #11 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public university. Oakland University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 43 exercise science degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Oakland University earn around $54,785 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972. Read more about the exercise science program at Oakland University

12
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #12 among the best exercise science schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 308 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $37,279. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Get the full exercise science details for Michigan State University

13

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #13 for exercise science this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater

14
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #14 among the best exercise science schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Depaul University graduates 68% of students within six years. Depaul University awarded about 10 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $55,226 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. Read more about the exercise science program at Depaul University

15

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #15 spot for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 43 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $40,569 early in their careers. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

16

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science schools. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 88 exercise science degrees were awarded at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn around $33,756 in the first couple years of their career. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $24,160 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

17

Michigan Technological University earned the #17 position for exercise science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Michigan Technological University graduates 68% of students within six years. Michigan Technological University awarded about 23 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $64,652 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,091. More information about a degree in exercise science from Michigan Technological University

18

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #18 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 21 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $50,590 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh graduates carry a median of $24,619 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh

19

University Of Southern Indiana landed the #19 spot for exercise science this year. University Of Southern Indiana is a large public school located in the suburb of Evansville. University Of Southern Indiana graduates 48% of students within six years. University Of Southern Indiana awarded about 52 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $40,508 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,375. Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Southern Indiana

20

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #20 among the best exercise science schools. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates 71% of students within six years. About 227 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn around $37,437 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full exercise science details for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse

21
Carroll University crest
Carroll University
Waukesha, WI

Carroll University earned the #21 position for exercise science this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. Carroll University graduates 71% of students within six years. About 93 exercise science degrees were awarded at Carroll University in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Carroll University earn around $33,333 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for Carroll University

22

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #22 position for exercise science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 78 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $32,801 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

23

Ball State University earned the #23 position for exercise science this year. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Ball State University awarded about 63 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,829 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,962. Read more about the exercise science program at Ball State University

24
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University placed #24 among the best exercise science schools. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. About 60% of students finish within six years. Aurora University awarded about 50 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $37,256 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full exercise science program report for Aurora University

25

Kent State University At Kent came in at #25 for exercise science this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Kent State University At Kent graduates 64% of students within six years. About 89 exercise science degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $36,030 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from Kent State University At Kent

Rest of the Top 50 Exercise Science Schools

These schools also placed among the best for exercise science this year:

26
27
28
29
Lewis University crest
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL
30
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL
31
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
32
33
Rockford College crest
Rockford College
Rockford, IL
34
35
36
37
38
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
39
North Central College crest
North Central College
Naperville, IL
40
University Of Indianapolis crest
University Of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN
41
42
Wittenberg University crest
Wittenberg University
Springfield, OH
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH
50
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Honorable Mentions

A few more exercise science schools worth a look:

Narrow Exercise Science Schools by State

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View All Exercise Science Rankings >

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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 · 142 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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