by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, exercise science and kinesiology was the 22nd most popular major nationwide with 32,740 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 1,575 over the prior year, a growth of 4.8%.
This year's Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools ranking compares 343 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of exercise science programs later in this article.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents is a required skill for exercise science majors. Required skills include giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and talking to others to convey information effectively.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most exercise science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional exercise science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of exercise science degrees. You can get anything from a in exercise science and kinesiology to the highest exercise science degree, a . How long it takes to complete some common exercise science degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to exercise science, with approximately 57.1% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for exercise science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 57.1% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 32.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 10.7% |
About 57.1% of workers in careers related to exercise science obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in exercise science and kinesiology have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the exercise science career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your exercise science degree? Exercise Science and Kinesiology careers are expected to grow 13.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to exercise science and kinesiology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | 17,100 | 13.2% |
As you might expect, salaries for exercise science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for exercise science and kinesiology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers exercise science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | $54,760 |
With over 1,130 different exercise science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased exercise science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 5 majors within the Health & Physical Education area of study, Exercise Science and Kinesiology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Sports Management | 16,971 |
| Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General | 13,944 |
| Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness | 1,441 |
| Physical Fitness Technician | 1,436 |
| Sports Studies | 614 |
