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2027 Best Exercise Science Schools in the Southeast Region

135 Colleges in the United States
8,267 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded
$36,905 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 135 schools to find the best for exercise science students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Exercise Science in the Southeast Region

If you are not 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.

Top Schools in Exercise Science

1

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in exercise science. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $39,401 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,575. See the full exercise science program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2

Students looking for a strong exercise science program will find one at The University Of Alabama, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The University Of Alabama awarded about 258 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from The University Of Alabama

3

Students looking for a strong exercise science program will find one at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 202 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from University Of Georgia earn around $36,359 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Georgia

4

University Of Virginia Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 112 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $40,998. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Virginia Main Campus

5
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Wake Forest University awarded about 116 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $21,192 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full exercise science program report for Wake Forest University

6

Tulane University Of Louisiana ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $53,507 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,077. See the full exercise science program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

7
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University placed #7 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 exercise science degrees were awarded at High Point University in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for High Point University

8
Furman University crest
Furman University
Greenville, SC

Furman University landed the #8 spot for exercise science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Greenville. About 79% of students finish within six years. Furman University awarded about 41 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Furman University earn around $36,520 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,764. Get the full exercise science details for Furman University

9

University Of Central Florida landed the #9 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 421 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $46,398. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $21,620 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at University Of Central Florida

10

The University Of Tennessee landed the #10 spot for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 325 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $35,175 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. Get the full exercise science details for The University Of Tennessee

11

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #11 position for exercise science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 40 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $31,956 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

12

Mercer University earned the #12 position for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Mercer University awarded about 36 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $56,699. Mercer University graduates carry a median of $32,463 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at Mercer University

13

Elon University placed #13 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 59 exercise science degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Elon University earn a median of $21,440 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Elon University

14

Cumberland University came in at #14 for exercise science this year. Located in the town of Lebanon, Cumberland University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 37 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Cumberland University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Cumberland University generally make around $47,696. Typical student debt for the program is $21,902. Read more about the exercise science program at Cumberland University

15
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University earned the #15 position for exercise science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 25 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Typical student debt for the program is $24,975. More information about a degree in exercise science from Lipscomb University

16

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #16 among the best exercise science schools. This very large public university is located in the town of University. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 135 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Mississippi Main Campus in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of Mississippi Main Campus earn a median of $22,239 early in their careers. University Of Mississippi Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,034 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for University Of Mississippi Main Campus

17

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #17 for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 23 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $34,249 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of South Florida Main Campus

18
Union University crest
Union University
Jackson, TN

Union University placed #18 among the best exercise science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Jackson. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 exercise science degrees were awarded at Union University in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Union University earn a median of $68,508 early in their careers. Union University graduates carry a median of $28,605 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from Union University

19

George Mason University landed the #19 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 91 exercise science degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $36,484 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for George Mason University

20
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University landed the #20 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. About 51 exercise science degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $37,139 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full exercise science program report for Belmont University

21

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #21 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 46 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Florida Gulf Coast University earn around $36,002 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise science program at Florida Gulf Coast University

22

University Of Kentucky came in at #22 for exercise science this year. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 33 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from University Of Kentucky earn around $43,994 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Kentucky

23

Florida Atlantic University placed #23 among the best exercise science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Boca Raton. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 196 exercise science degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $40,682 in their early career. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,659 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from Florida Atlantic University

24

Georgia College And State University landed the #24 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 82 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Georgia College And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $29,203. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Georgia College And State University

25

West Virginia University placed #25 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 22 exercise science degrees were awarded at West Virginia University in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $30,145 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full exercise science details for West Virginia University

Rest of the Top 50 Exercise Science Schools

These schools also placed among the best for exercise science this year:

26
Thomas More College crest
Thomas More College
Crestview Hills, KY
27
28
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
29
30
John Brown University crest
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR
31
32
33
34
35
36
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Berry College crest
Berry College
Mount Berry, GA
44
King College crest
King College
Bristol, TN
45
46
Florida College crest
Florida College
Temple Terrace, FL
47
48
49
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
50

View All Exercise Science Rankings >

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 · 135 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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