ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Exercise Science Schools in Iowa

8 Colleges in the United States
868 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded
$41,102 Avg Early-Career Salary

Exercise Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best exercise science schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/health-and-physical-education/exercise-science/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 2
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 31.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Exercise Science (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Exercise Science (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Exercise & Sports Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Exercise & Sports Science (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 2
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 1 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Exercise Science in Iowa

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 science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Exercise Science

1
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

Leading the list is University Of Iowa, our #1 school for exercise science. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 403 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $32,737. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813. Get the full exercise science details for University Of Iowa

2

Students looking for a strong exercise science program will find one at Iowa State University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 238 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $36,492. Students borrow a median of $25,425 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for Iowa State University

3

Students looking for a strong exercise science program will find one at Northwestern College Iowa, which ranked #3. Northwestern College Iowa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Orange City. Northwestern College Iowa graduates 66% of students within six years. About 15 exercise science degrees were awarded at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Northwestern College Iowa earn around $54,845 in the first couple years of their career. Northwestern College Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at Northwestern College Iowa

4

University Of Northern Iowa is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise science, ranking #4. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 11 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Northern Iowa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,954. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for University Of Northern Iowa

5
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA

Students looking for a strong exercise science program will find one at Luther College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Luther College graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Luther College in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Luther College earn a median of $42,426 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from Luther College

6
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University came in at #6 for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Grand View University graduates 54% of students within six years. Grand View University awarded about 31 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $43,236 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Grand View University

7

Saint Ambrose University landed the #7 spot for exercise science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Davenport. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 37 exercise science degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Saint Ambrose University earn a median of $26,608 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in exercise science from Saint Ambrose University

8
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College earned the #8 position for exercise science this year. Set in the town of Sioux Center, Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Dordt College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Dordt College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $54,926 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,812 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from Dordt College

9
Coe College crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Coe College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Coe College earn around $44,511 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Coe College

10

University Of Dubuque earned the #10 position for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 40% of students finish within six years. University Of Dubuque awarded about 16 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Dubuque generally make around $37,528. University Of Dubuque graduates carry a median of $27,560 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for University Of Dubuque

11
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College placed #11 among the best exercise science schools. Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Vernon. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Cornell College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $35,439 in their early career. Cornell College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at Cornell College

12
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College came in at #12 for exercise science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Waverly. Wartburg College graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Wartburg College in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Wartburg College earn a median of $46,918 early in their careers. Wartburg College graduates carry a median of $26,793 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from Wartburg College

13
Loras College crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of Dubuque, Loras College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Loras College awarded about 21 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Loras College generally make around $31,493. Loras College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for Loras College

14
Briar Cliff University crest
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University earned the #14 position for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Briar Cliff University graduates 48% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Briar Cliff University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $61,105. Briar Cliff University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for Briar Cliff University

15

William Penn University earned the #15 position for exercise science this year. Set in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at William Penn University in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $30,314 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full exercise science program report for William Penn University

ADBLOCK #173
View All Exercise Science Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

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 · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options