by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 155 U.S. colleges awarded 8,412 degrees and certificates in Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 83% of graduates. College Factual ranks 113 schools in its 2027 Best Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $31,856 one year after completing, rising to $64,772 after four years.
Studying Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology involves the study of Exercise Physiology And Kinesiology. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Physiological Processes Involved In Physical Or Motor Activity, Including Sensorimotor Interactions, Response Mechanisms, And The Effects Of Injury, Disease, And Disability. Includes Instruction In Muscular And Skeletal Anatomy; Molecular And Cellular Basis Of Muscle Contraction; Fuel Utilization; Neurophysiology Of Motor Mechanics; Systemic Physiological Responses (Respiration, Blood Flow, Endocrine Secretions, And Others); Fatigue And Exhaustion; Muscle And Body Training; Physiology Of Specific Exercises And Activities; Physiology Of Injury; And The Effects Of Disabilities And Disease.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, exercise physiology and kinesiology is a popular field of study, with 8,412 degrees awarded annually. 155 colleges award exercise physiology and kinesiology degrees, an average of 54 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 424.
By level, the 8,412 awards include 13 certificates, 5 associate degrees, 6,948 bachelor’s degrees, 1,329 master’s degrees and 117 doctorates.
Women earned 59% of exercise physiology and kinesiology degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,954 of 8,412). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,100) and Hispanic or Latino (1,289), and international students earned 516.
College Factual ranks 113 schools in its 2027 Best Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology Schools ranking, including 95 for bachelor’s degrees, 38 for master’s degrees and 4 for doctorates. It also ranks exercise physiology and kinesiology schools within 30 states. In all, 155 colleges offer exercise physiology and kinesiology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common exercise physiology and kinesiology credential is the bachelor’s degree: 6,948 of the 8,412 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to exercise physiology and kinesiology call most for Speaking, Active Listening and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Speech Clarity and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
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How long an exercise physiology and kinesiology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 13 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 6,948 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,329 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 117 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to exercise physiology and kinesiology, at 49.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 49.1% |
| Master’s degree | 29.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology, with an average median salary of $98,811; the strongest outlook belongs to Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, at 8.9% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Fitness Specialist, Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Physiologist, Injury Prevention Specialist and Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant.
The occupation related to exercise physiology and kinesiology with the most projected jobs is Exercise Physiologists, at 1,771,772.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | 1,771,772 | 1.7% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology graduates earn a median $31,856 one year after completing their program, $64,772 after four years and $65,457 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,856 |
| 4 years | $64,772 |
| 5 years | $65,457 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to exercise physiology and kinesiology, with a median salary of $144,072.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | $144,072 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology has 12 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 4,320 degrees a year; the largest are Physiology, General (3,053), Pathology/Experimental Pathology (310) and Oncology and Cancer Biology (235). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Physiology, General | 3,053 |
| Pathology/Experimental Pathology | 310 |
| Oncology and Cancer Biology | 235 |
| Vision Science/Physiological Optics | 219 |
| Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other | 218 |
| Biomechanics | 70 |
| Cardiovascular Science | 61 |
| Molecular Physiology | 44 |
| Aerospace Physiology and Medicine | 40 |
| Cell Physiology | 33 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
