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2024 Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools

338 Colleges in the United States
32,740 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded
Ranked #22 in popularity, exercise science and kinesiology is one of the most sought-after degree programs in the nation. This makes choosing the right school a hard decision.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 338 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for exercise science and kinesiology students pursuing a degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 32,740 degrees in exercise science and kinesiology during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Exercise Science and Kinesiology School

Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools Your choice of exercise science and kinesiology school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for exercise science and kinesiology schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each 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.

Exercise Science and Kinesiology Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Exercise Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Exercise Science
Master's Degrees in Exercise Science
Doctor's Degrees in Exercise Science

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.


 

Best Schools for Exercise Science and Kinesiology in the United States

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the exercise science degrees they offer, see the list below. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Exercise Science

1
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, TX
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
23rd Most Popular In TX
58 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Rice University is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a degree in exercise science and kinesiology. Located in the large city of Houston, Rice is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #16 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Rice is a great university overall.

There were roughly 58 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Rice University

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In MI
140 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a great option for students pursuing a degree in exercise science and kinesiology. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 140 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In TX
196 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Any student who is interested in exercise science and kinesiology needs to take a look at The University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin is a very large public university located in the large city of Austin. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were roughly 196 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from The University of Texas at Austin

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In TX
308 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Texas A&M University - College Station is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in exercise science and kinesiology. Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall.

There were approximately 308 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Texas A&M University - College Station

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In WI
104 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were approximately 104 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Wisconsin - Madison

6
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IA
407 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of Iowa City, Iowa is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were approximately 407 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Iowa

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In IN
447 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #55 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were roughly 447 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Indiana University - Bloomington

8
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In OH
169 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the fringe town of Oxford, Miami University - Oxford is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 96 colleges for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 169 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Miami University - Oxford

9
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In AZ
158 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Tempe, ASU - Tempe is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were approximately 158 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Arizona State University - Tempe

10
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WV
388 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

American Military University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the town of Charles Town. This university ranks 1st out of 28 schools for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were roughly 388 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at American Military University in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from American Public University System

11
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In UT
269 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the medium-sized city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 13 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were approximately 269 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Utah

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MD
239 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of College Park, UMCP is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were about 239 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Maryland - College Park

13
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
8th Most Popular In OH
33 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the large city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #69 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Ohio State is a great university overall.

There were about 33 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Ohio State University - Main Campus

14
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In TX
401 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

UH is a very large public university located in the large city of Houston. This university ranks 10th out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were roughly 401 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UH in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Houston

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In VA
117 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University of Virginia is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #33 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 117 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Virginia - Main Campus

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CT

UCONN is a very large public university located in the large suburb of Storrs. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 schools for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were roughly 23 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Connecticut

17
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
419 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Michigan State is a fairly large public university located in the city of East Lansing. A Best Colleges rank of #74 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Michigan State is a great university overall.

There were roughly 419 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Michigan State University

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IL
175 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

UIUC is a very large public university located in the small city of Champaign. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were about 175 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TN
241 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

UT Knoxville is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Knoxville. This university ranks 2nd out of 45 colleges for overall quality in the state of Tennessee.

There were roughly 241 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UT Knoxville in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In NJ
359 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the small city of New Brunswick, Rutgers New Brunswick is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 44 schools for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were roughly 359 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Rutgers University - New Brunswick

21
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In GA
163 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

UGA is a very large public university located in the medium-sized city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were roughly 163 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from University of Georgia

22
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In PA
111 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Temple is a fairly large public university located in the city of Philadelphia. This university ranks 11th out of 109 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were roughly 111 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Temple in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Temple University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In IA
251 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Iowa State is a very large public university located in the small city of Ames. This university ranks 1st out of 40 schools for overall quality in the state of Iowa.

There were roughly 251 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Iowa State University

24
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In CO
242 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the midsize city of Fort Collins, Colorado State is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 4th out of 33 colleges for overall quality in the state of Colorado.

There were about 242 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Colorado State University - Fort Collins

25
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In NY
36 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 12th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 36 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in exercise science and kinesiology from Syracuse University

Rest of the Top Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools

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27
28
29
30
31
32
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

33
Towson crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

34
35
36
UARK crest
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
37
38
39
40
Loras crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA
41

42
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

43
44
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
45
46
47
48
Xavier crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
49
50

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools award.

Rank College Location
51 University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL
52 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
53 Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA
54 Winona State University Winona, MN
55 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR
56 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
57 Springfield College Springfield, MA
58 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
59 Southern Nazarene University Bethany, OK
60 University of Memphis Memphis, TN
61 Maryville University of Saint Louis Saint Louis, MO
62 Texas State University San Marcos, TX
63 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
64 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OH
65 Lindenwood University Saint Charles, MO
66 Arkansas State University - Main Campus Jonesboro, AR
67 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC

Exercise Science and Kinesiology by Region

View the Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

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

View All Exercise Science Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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