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2023 Most Popular Colleges for Exercise Science and Kinesiology

809 Ranked Colleges
32,740 Degrees Awarded
$28,400 Avg Cost*
Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

This year’s “Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major” ranking looked at 809 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in exercise science and kinesiology. This ranking identifies schools that graduate the most students in exercise science and kinesiology.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major

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

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school awarded 506 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% 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 UTSA

2
Texas State crest
Texas State University
San Marcos, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. This large school is located in San Marcos, Texas, and it awarded 464 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Texas State University

3
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

Out of the 809 schools in the Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Memphis landed the #3 spot on the list. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s exercise science degrees to 456 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at University of Memphis

4
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Out of the 809 schools in the Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #4 spot on the list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 447 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Indiana University - Bloomington

5
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Michigan State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. Michigan State is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 419 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Michigan State

6
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking, coming in at #6. University of Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 407 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Iowa Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

7
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking, coming in at #7. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s exercise science degrees to 401 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at University of Houston

8

With a ranking of #8, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 394 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at UT Rio Grande Valley

9
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #9, American Public University System did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, this large private for-profit school handed out 388 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at American Public University System

10
Rutgers New Brunswick crest
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
New Brunswick, New Jersey

Rutgers University - New Brunswick came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking. Located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, this large public school awarded 359 diplomas to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, 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.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Rutgers University - New Brunswick

11
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking. Mississippi State is a large school located in Mississippi State, Mississippi that handed out 310 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Mississippi State

12

With a ranking of #12, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. Texas A&M College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 308 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University - College Station

13

University of North Texas did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking, coming in at #13. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 294 ’s exercise science degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at University of North Texas

14
Concordia University, Chicago crest
Concordia University, Chicago
River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 296 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Concordia University, Chicago

15
Tarleton crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking. Located in Stephenville, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 289 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Tarleton State University

16
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

With a ranking of #16, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. Cal Baptist is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 277 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Cal Baptist Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

17
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

With a ranking of #17, University of Utah did quite well on the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school awarded 269 diplomas to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Utah Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

18

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking, coming in at #18. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 265 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at UNLV

19
UA crest
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The University of Alabama ranked #19 on this year’s Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, this large public school handed out 255 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at The University of Alabama

20

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school handed out 253 degrees to qualified ’s exercise science students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at The University of Texas at Arlington

20
GaSou crest
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, Georgia

Georgia Southern University ranked #20 on this year’s Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major list. GaSou is a public institution located in Statesboro, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 257 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at GaSou

22

Iowa State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 251 ’s exercise science degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Exercise Science and Kinesiology at Iowa State University

23
GVSU crest
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University did quite well in the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking, coming in at #23. Grand Valley State University is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 250 ’s exercise science degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Exercise Science and Kinesiology at GVSU

24
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s exercise science degrees to 249 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Appalachian State University

25

Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major ranking. Colorado State is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 242 ’s exercise science degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Colorado State University - Fort Collins Exercise Science and Kinesiology Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
27
Oregon State crest
Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon
27
29
30
31
32
33
34
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi
35
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida
36
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan
37
38
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
38
38
41
42
43
44
URI crest
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island
45
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
46
Concordia University, Saint Paul crest
Concordia University, Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
47
48
49
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Most Well Attended Exercise Science Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TX
52 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI
52 Towson University Towson, MD
54 University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
55 Coastal Carolina University Conway, SC
56 California State University - Chico Chico, CA
57 Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA
58 Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TN
59 Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
59 Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, IN
61 University of Delaware Newark, DE
61 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
63 Utah State University Logan, UT
64 Montclair State University Montclair, NJ
64 SUNY Cortland Cortland, NY
Rank College Location
66 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
67 University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA
67 Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA
69 The University of Texas at Tyler Tyler, TX
70 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
71 University of Toledo Toledo, OH
72 University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
73 Salisbury University Salisbury, MD
73 Temple University Philadelphia, PA
75 University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI
76 University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI
76 Texas A&M University - Commerce Commerce, TX
78 Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO
78 Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT
78 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
81 Angelo State University San Angelo, TX
82 Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
83 The College at Brockport Brockport, NY
84 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
85 Carroll University Waukesha, WI
86 University of Wyoming Laramie, WY
86 Washington State University Pullman, WA
88 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA
88 Logan University Chesterfield, MO
90 Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ
Rank College Location
91 Truman State University Kirksville, MO
92 Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA
93 University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MA
94 University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN
95 McNeese State University Lake Charles, LA
95 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
95 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI
98 University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD
98 Queens College Queens, NY
100 Augusta University Augusta, GA
100 East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PA
100 Fresno City College Fresno, CA
100 Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA
104 Ball State University Muncie, IN
104 New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NM
106 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
106 West Texas A&M University Canyon, TX
106 Citrus College Glendora, CA
106 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
110 University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NH
110 Boise State University Boise, ID
112 University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, MO
112 William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJ
112 Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA
112 Texas A&M University - San Antonio San Antonio, TX
Rank College Location
112 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY
117 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE
117 Texas A&M International University Laredo, TX
119 The University of West Florida Pensacola, FL
119 Texas A&M University - Kingsville Kingsville, TX
121 California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA
121 Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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