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2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

68 Ranked Colleges
5,486 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 32,740 people earned their degree in exercise science and kinesiology, making the major the 22nd most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,486 exercise science and kinesiology graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 68 colleges that offer a degree in exercise science and kinesiology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great exercise science and kinesiology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the exercise science and kinesiology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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The exercise science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region exercise science students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Exercise Science and Kinesiology in the Great Lakes Region

1
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Central Michigan University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s exercise science degrees to 182 students in 2020-2021.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $16,007 for great lakes region exercise science students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Central Michigan University

2
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Concordia University, Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 296 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region exercise science students list, Concordia University, Chicago has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Concordia University, Chicago is $17,051 for great lakes region exercise science students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Concordia University, Chicago Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 214 ’s exercise science degrees to qualified students.

UW - La Crosse did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW - La Crosse is $14,654 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

4
Ashland crest
Ashland University
Ashland, Ohio

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ashland University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Ashland University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ashland, Ohio. It awarded 9 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Ashland is $20,974 for great lakes region exercise science students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Ashland Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

5
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Michigan University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 61 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

WMU also made our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $20,371 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at WMU

6

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 45 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,305 for great lakes region exercise science students per year to attend WIU.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at WIU

7

Grand Valley State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. GVSU is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 250 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region exercise science students list, GVSU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $17,356 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at GVSU

8

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s exercise science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at UW - Eau Claire

9
EIU crest
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 69 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $13,098 for great lakes region exercise science students.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at EIU

10
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Eastern Michigan is a public institution located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students per year to attend Eastern Michigan.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Eastern Michigan

11

With a ranking of #11, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. SIUE is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 66 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,462 for great lakes region exercise science students.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at SIUE

12

With a ranking of #12, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 60 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,285 for great lakes region exercise science students.

Full SIUC Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

13

Youngstown State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Youngstown, Ohio, and it awarded 70 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Youngstown State University is $12,225 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

Full Youngstown State University Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

14

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #14. Kent State is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 60 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region exercise science students list, Kent State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,117 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students per year to attend Kent State University at Kent.

Full Kent State Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 22 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $13,844 for great lakes region exercise science students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

16

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UWM is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 87 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

17
Aurora crest
Aurora University
Aurora, Illinois

Aurora University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 54 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Aurora is $16,994 for great lakes region exercise science students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Aurora University

18

With a ranking of #18, Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Ohio that handed out 67 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

BGSU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $18,558 for great lakes region exercise science students.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus

19
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 81 ’s exercise science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region exercise science students list, Ball State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students per year to attend Ball State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Ball State University

20
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

With a ranking of #20, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 129 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $13,377 for great lakes region exercise science students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Purdue Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

21

Illinois State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region list. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s exercise science degrees to qualified students.

Illinois State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $20,830 for great lakes region exercise science students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Illinois State

22

Grace College and Theological Seminary did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. Winona Lake, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s exercise science degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region exercise science students list, Grace College has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Grace College is $20,060 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Grace College and Theological Seminary Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

23
Northern Michigan University crest
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan

Northern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #23. Located in Marquette, Michigan, this medium-sized public school handed out 45 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Michigan University is $15,214 for great lakes region exercise science students.

Full Northern Michigan University Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

24
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 48 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana State University is $14,270 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Indiana State

25

University of Southern Indiana landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region ranking. USI is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 45 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend USI is $13,481 for Great Lakes Region Exercise Science students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Southern Indiana Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

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References

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