2027 Best Exercise Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Exercise Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 101 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best exercise science schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Exercise Science in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall exercise science education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Exercise Science
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor tops our 2027 ranking of the best exercise science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 157 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $42,490 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,135 in student loans.
Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 577 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $44,640 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,657.
Read more about the exercise science program at Indiana University Bloomington
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the top schools for exercise science. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 222 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $31,187. Typical student debt for the program is $21,425.
See the full exercise science program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Ohio State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise science, ranking #4. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates 88% of students within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 61 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $42,137. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full exercise science details for Ohio State University Main Campus
Loyola University Chicago is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise science, ranking #5. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 30 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $58,568 early in their careers. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans.
See the full exercise science program report for Loyola University Chicago
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 144 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $29,866 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Miami University Oxford came in at #7 for exercise science this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 227 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $42,958 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise science program report for Miami University Oxford
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned the #8 position for exercise science this year. This large public university is located in the town of Whitewater. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates 63% of students within six years. About 63 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $45,767. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates carry a median of $25,306 in student loans.
More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Illinois State University came in at #9 for exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 83 exercise science degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $37,059. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans.
Read more about the exercise science program at Illinois State University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #10 among the best exercise science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 62 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $40,569. Students borrow a median of $17,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #11 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 118 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from University Of Illinois At Chicago earn around $28,874 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete this degree.
See the full exercise science program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
Michigan State University earned the #12 position for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 363 exercise science degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $37,279. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the exercise science program at Michigan State University
Oakland University earned the #13 position for exercise science this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 exercise science degrees were awarded at Oakland University in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,972.
Get the full exercise science details for Oakland University
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 262 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $37,437 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
See the full exercise science program report for University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
Saint Xavier University earned the #15 position for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Saint Xavier University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Saint Xavier University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Saint Xavier University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $51,753 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,735.
See the full exercise science program report for Saint Xavier University
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh awarded about 21 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $50,590 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,619.
See the full exercise science program report for University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 91 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $33,756 early in their careers. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates carry a median of $24,160 in student loans.
See the full exercise science program report for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Ball State University landed the #18 spot for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Muncie. About 62% of students finish within six years. About 61 exercise science degrees were awarded at Ball State University in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $36,829 early in their careers. Ball State University graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans.
More information about a degree in exercise science from Ball State University
Elmhurst College placed #19 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 33 exercise science degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $31,538 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375.
Get the full exercise science details for Elmhurst College
Carroll University landed the #20 spot for exercise science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Waukesha. Carroll University graduates 71% of students within six years. About 91 exercise science degrees were awarded at Carroll University in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $33,333 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the exercise science program at Carroll University
University Of Evansville landed the #21 spot for exercise science this year. Located in the city of Evansville, University Of Evansville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 13 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Evansville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $34,809 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,031 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Evansville
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 65 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $32,801 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,375.
Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Marian University Ancilla placed #23 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the rural area of Plymouth, Marian University Ancilla is a small private not-for-profit institution. There were roughly 10 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Marian University Ancilla in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Marian University Ancilla generally make around $55,044. Typical student debt for the program is $32,222.
See the full exercise science program report for Marian University Ancilla
Michigan Technological University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 26 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Michigan Technological University graduates carry a median of $20,091 in student loans.
Read more about the exercise science program at Michigan Technological University
University Of Southern Indiana placed #25 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. About 45 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $40,508 early in their careers. University Of Southern Indiana graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans.
See the full exercise science program report for University Of Southern Indiana
Rest of the Top 50 Exercise Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for exercise science this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 101 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.