Exercise Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 612 schools to find the best for exercise science students.
Where you study exercise science matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Exercise Science Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Exercise Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Exercise Science in the United States
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.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in exercise science. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 157 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $42,490 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans.
See the full exercise science program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Students looking for a strong exercise science program will find one at University Of St Thomas Minnesota, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 39 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of St Thomas Minnesota in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Minnesota generally make around $65,183. Typical student debt for the program is $23,923.
See the full exercise science program report for University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 38 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $39,401 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,575.
Get the full exercise science details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
A rank of #4 makes The College Of New Jersey one of the top schools for exercise science. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 exercise science degrees were awarded at The College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $56,617. The College Of New Jersey graduates carry a median of $24,429 in student loans.
See the full exercise science program report for The College Of New Jersey
A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Bloomington one of the top schools for exercise science. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 577 exercise science degrees were awarded at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $44,640 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,657 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise science program report for Indiana University Bloomington
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 371 exercise science degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $42,358 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,414 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in exercise science from Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Kansas placed #7 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 202 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $33,891 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Kansas
The University Of Alabama earned the #8 position for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 258 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise science program report for The University Of Alabama
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #9 for exercise science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 228 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $31,403 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,138 to complete this degree.
Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Maryland College Park
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #10 spot for exercise science this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 241 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $35,583. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete this degree.
Read more about the exercise science program at The University Of Texas At Austin
University Of Georgia placed #11 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 202 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $36,359 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full exercise science details for University Of Georgia
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Saint Louis University Main Campus graduates 80% of students within six years. About 83 exercise science degrees were awarded at Saint Louis University Main Campus in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $65,599 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,316 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in exercise science from Saint Louis University Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 222 exercise science degrees in the most recent data 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. Students borrow a median of $21,425 to complete this degree.
Get the full exercise science details for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Suny College At Oneonta graduates 69% of students within six years. Suny College At Oneonta awarded about 34 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $36,119 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,600 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise science program report for Suny College At Oneonta
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #15 for exercise science this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 112 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $40,998 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise science program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #16 position for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 61 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,137. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans.
See the full exercise science program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Rhode Island landed the #17 spot for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. About 135 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,432.
Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Rhode Island
Loyola University Chicago landed the #18 spot for exercise science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 30 exercise science degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $58,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521.
Read more about the exercise science program at Loyola University Chicago
University Of Connecticut ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. About 52 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $40,704 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125.
Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Connecticut
Wake Forest University placed #20 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 116 exercise science degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $21,192 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
More information about a degree in exercise science from Wake Forest University
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 65 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans.
Get the full exercise science details for University Of Massachusetts Lowell
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #22 position for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 144 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $29,866 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full exercise science details for University Of Wisconsin Madison
Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #23 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 17 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Tulane University Of Louisiana earn around $53,507 in the first couple years of their career. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans.
See the full exercise science program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana
High Point University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree.
Read more about the exercise science program at High Point University
Saint Josephs University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. Saint Josephs University awarded about 13 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $65,421 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,426 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise science program report for Saint Josephs University
Rest of the Top 50 Exercise Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for exercise science this year:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 612 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
