Exercise Physiology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their exercise physiology programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 113 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for exercise physiology students pursuing a degree.
Where you study exercise physiology matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Exercise Physiology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Exercise Physiology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Exercise Physiology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Exercise Physiology 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 physiology degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than Rice University this year for exercise physiology. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Rice University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,904.
More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Rice University
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the top schools for exercise physiology. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 172 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $63,111 in the first couple years of their career. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans.
Read more about the exercise physiology program at Purdue University Main Campus
George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise physiology, ranking #3. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 31 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $73,749 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,727 in student loans.
Get the full exercise physiology details for George Washington University
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best exercise physiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $59,877 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
Read more about the exercise physiology program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Utah came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 291 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $60,527 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise physiology program report for University Of Utah
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best exercise physiology schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 190 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $31,613 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in exercise physiology from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Southern California placed #7 among the best exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 18 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans.
See the full exercise physiology program report for University Of Southern California
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #8 among the best exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 20 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from The University Of Texas At Arlington earn around $55,304 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,632.
More information about a degree in exercise physiology from The University Of Texas At Arlington
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #9 spot for exercise physiology this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $58,084 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans.
Get the full exercise physiology details for University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
University Of Florida placed #10 among the best exercise physiology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 424 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $34,242 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,888 to complete this degree.
Read more about the exercise physiology program at University Of Florida
Adelphi University earned the #11 position for exercise physiology this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Adelphi University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Adelphi University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $51,037 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,487 to complete this degree.
Read more about the exercise physiology program at Adelphi University
Teachers College At Columbia University came in at #12 for exercise physiology this year. Located in the city of New York, Teachers College At Columbia University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 35 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at Teachers College At Columbia University in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $68,822 in their early career.
More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Teachers College At Columbia University
Arizona State University placed #13 among the best exercise physiology schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 224 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Arizona State University earn around $55,876 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree.
Get the full exercise physiology details for Arizona State University
Skidmore College placed #14 among the best exercise physiology schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Skidmore College awarded about 19 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Skidmore College earn around $30,632 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250.
More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Skidmore College
University Of California Irvine placed #15 among the best exercise physiology schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539.
More information about a degree in exercise physiology from University Of California Irvine
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #16 among the best exercise physiology schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 164 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $31,915. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the exercise physiology program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Sacred Heart University landed the #17 spot for exercise physiology this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Sacred Heart University awarded about 112 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Sacred Heart University earn around $49,193 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,831.
Read more about the exercise physiology program at Sacred Heart University
Southern Methodist University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best exercise physiology schools. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 25 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $70,632 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712.
See the full exercise physiology program report for Southern Methodist University
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #19 position for exercise physiology this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Minnesota State University Mankato awarded about 11 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise physiology program make about $53,088 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise physiology program report for Minnesota State University Mankato
Oakland University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best exercise physiology schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oakland University awarded about 14 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $54,785. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972.
See the full exercise physiology program report for Oakland University
Auburn University landed the #21 spot for exercise physiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 283 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Exercise Physiology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $39,401 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree.
Read more about the exercise physiology program at Auburn University
Florida State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best exercise physiology schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 207 exercise physiology degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Physiology graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $23,574 early in their careers. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $19,001 in student loans.
More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Florida State University
Appalachian State University earned the #23 position for exercise physiology this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 300 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise physiology degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $42,340. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in exercise physiology from Appalachian State University
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #24 spot for exercise physiology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 246 exercise physiology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Exercise Physiology graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $27,374 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full exercise physiology details for University Of South Carolina Columbia
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #25 spot for exercise physiology this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 252 exercise physiology degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Provo in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise physiology degree from Brigham Young University Provo earn around $25,101 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
See the full exercise physiology program report for Brigham Young University Provo
Rest of the Top 50 Exercise Physiology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s exercise physiology ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 113 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).
