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2027 Best Exercise Science Schools in North Carolina

21 Colleges in the United States
1,125 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded
$34,703 Avg Early-Career Salary

Exercise Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best exercise science schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Exercise Science in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall exercise science education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in Exercise Science

1

No school ranked higher than University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year for exercise science. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 38 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $39,401 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,575. More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

2
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 116 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Wake Forest University earn around $21,192 in the first couple years of their career. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for Wake Forest University

3
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. 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. Typical student debt for the program is $23,785. Read more about the exercise science program at High Point University

4

A rank of #4 makes Elon University one of the top schools for exercise science. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elon. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Elon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Elon University earn around $21,440 in the first couple years of their career. Elon University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for Elon University

5

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise science, ranking #5. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 174 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $46,164 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,013. Get the full exercise science details for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

6

East Carolina University placed #6 among the best exercise science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 104 exercise science degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from East Carolina University earn around $38,488 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise science program at East Carolina University

7

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #7 position for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro awarded about 182 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,012 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full exercise science program report for University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

8
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University came in at #8 for exercise science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Buies Creek. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. There were roughly 51 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Campbell University in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $32,167 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,250. More information about a degree in exercise science from Campbell University

9
Lees Mcrae College crest
Lees Mcrae College
Banner Elk, NC

Lees Mcrae College came in at #9 for exercise science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Banner Elk. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. There were roughly 13 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Lees Mcrae College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $40,268 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,821 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for Lees Mcrae College

10
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 66 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Wingate University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $34,936 in their early career. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at Wingate University

11

Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #11 spot for exercise science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Hickory. About 48% of students finish within six years. Lenoir Rhyne University awarded about 57 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Lenoir Rhyne University earn around $22,695 in the first couple years of their career. Lenoir Rhyne University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from Lenoir Rhyne University

12
Catawba College crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College landed the #12 spot for exercise science this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit university. Catawba College graduates 47% of students within six years. Catawba College awarded about 37 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $27,305 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise science program at Catawba College

13
Brevard College crest
Brevard College
Brevard, NC

Brevard College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Brevard College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brevard. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 17 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Brevard College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Brevard College generally make around $32,122. Typical student debt for the program is $26,667. Get the full exercise science details for Brevard College

14
Barton College crest
Barton College
Wilson, NC

Barton College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Wilson. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Barton College awarded about 27 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Barton College generally make around $29,374. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full exercise science program report for Barton College

15
Methodist University crest
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University placed #15 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 43% of students finish within six years. Methodist University awarded about 18 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Methodist University earn a median of $28,270 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,124 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from Methodist University

16
Mount Olive College crest
Mount Olive College
Mount Olive, NC

Mount Olive College placed #16 among the best exercise science schools. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 exercise science degrees were awarded at Mount Olive College in the most recent year. Exercise Science graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $27,413 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,820 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for Mount Olive College

17
Greensboro College crest
Greensboro College
Greensboro, NC

Greensboro College placed #17 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit university. Greensboro College graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Greensboro College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Greensboro College earn around $27,624 in the first couple years of their career. Greensboro College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for Greensboro College

18
Pfeiffer University crest
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC

Pfeiffer University placed #18 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Pfeiffer University awarded about 13 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Pfeiffer University generally make around $26,744. Pfeiffer University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for Pfeiffer University

19

Elizabeth City State University came in at #19 for exercise science this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. Elizabeth City State University awarded about 21 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $26,821 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise science program at Elizabeth City State University

20
Chowan University crest
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, NC

Chowan University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 30% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Chowan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $25,983 in their early career. Chowan University graduates carry a median of $31,581 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at Chowan University

21
Shaw University crest
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC

Shaw University came in at #21 for exercise science this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 22% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Shaw University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $18,987 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,500. More information about a degree in exercise science from Shaw University

View All Exercise Science Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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