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2027 Best Exercise Science Schools in Iowa

20 Colleges in the United States
1,039 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded
$42,494 Avg Early-Career Salary

Exercise Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their exercise science programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for exercise science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Exercise Science in Iowa

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
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University tops our 2027 ranking of the best exercise science schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Drake University awarded about 11 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Students borrow a median of $22,273 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Drake University

2
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in exercise science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 431 exercise science degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $32,737 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for University Of Iowa

3

Students looking for a strong exercise science program will find one at Iowa State University, which ranked #3. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Iowa State University graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 210 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Iowa State University earn around $36,492 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,425 to complete this degree. Read more about the exercise science program at Iowa State University

4
Mount Mercy University crest
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, IA

A rank of #4 makes Mount Mercy University one of the top schools for exercise science. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Cedar Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 18 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Mount Mercy University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Mount Mercy University earn around $50,431 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,709 to complete this degree. Get the full exercise science details for Mount Mercy University

5

Saint Ambrose University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in exercise science, ranking #5. Located in the city of Davenport, Saint Ambrose University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 31 exercise science degrees were awarded at Saint Ambrose University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Saint Ambrose University generally make around $26,608. Saint Ambrose University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the exercise science program at Saint Ambrose University

6
Central College crest
Central College
Pella, IA

Central College landed the #6 spot for exercise science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Pella. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Central College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Central College generally make around $35,914. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in exercise science from Central College

7
Dordt College crest
Dordt College
Sioux Center, IA

Dordt College earned the #7 position for exercise science this year. Dordt College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Sioux Center. About 74% of students finish within six years. Dordt College awarded about 24 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Dordt College generally make around $54,926. Typical student debt for the program is $21,812. More information about a degree in exercise science from Dordt College

8
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA

Cornell College placed #8 among the best exercise science schools. Set in the town of Mount Vernon, Cornell College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Cornell College graduates 62% of students within six years. About 29 exercise science degrees were awarded at Cornell College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Cornell College generally make around $35,439. Cornell College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full exercise science details for Cornell College

9

Iowa Western Community College came in at #9 for exercise science this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Council Bluffs. Iowa Western Community College awarded about 28 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $43,444 in their early career. Iowa Western Community College graduates carry a median of $15,153 in student loans. More information about a degree in exercise science from Iowa Western Community College

10
Grand View University crest
Grand View University
Des Moines, IA

Grand View University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Grand View University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 18 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Grand View University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Grand View University earn around $43,236 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,921. Get the full exercise science details for Grand View University

11
Coe College crest
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Coe College landed the #11 spot for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Coe College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 33 exercise science degrees were awarded at Coe College in the most recent year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Coe College earn around $44,511 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in exercise science from Coe College

12
Buena Vista University crest
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA

Buena Vista University came in at #12 for exercise science this year. Set in the town of Storm Lake, Buena Vista University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 exercise science degrees were awarded at Buena Vista University in the most recent year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $38,356 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Buena Vista University

13

Iowa Lakes Community College placed #13 among the best exercise science schools. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. There were roughly 10 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Iowa Lakes Community College in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Iowa Lakes Community College earn a median of $46,937 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,876 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Iowa Lakes Community College

14

Northwestern College Iowa ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Orange City. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern College Iowa in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Northwestern College Iowa earn a median of $54,845 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,415. Get the full exercise science details for Northwestern College Iowa

15
Wartburg College crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, IA

Wartburg College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the town of Waverly, Wartburg College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 64% of students finish within six years. Wartburg College awarded about 24 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Wartburg College generally make around $46,918. Students borrow a median of $26,793 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from Wartburg College

16
Luther College crest
Luther College
Decorah, IA

Luther College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Located in the town of Decorah, Luther College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Luther College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their exercise science degree from Luther College earn around $42,426 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in exercise science from Luther College

17
Loras College crest
Loras College
Dubuque, IA

Loras College landed the #17 spot for exercise science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dubuque. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at Loras College in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of Loras College earn a median of $31,493 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full exercise science program report for Loras College

18

University Of Dubuque earned the #18 position for exercise science this year. Set in the city of Dubuque, University Of Dubuque is a small private not-for-profit institution. University Of Dubuque graduates 40% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dubuque in the most recent data year. Graduates of the exercise science program make about $37,528 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,560 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in exercise science from University Of Dubuque

19
Briar Cliff University crest
Briar Cliff University
Sioux City, IA

Briar Cliff University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best exercise science schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Briar Cliff University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Briar Cliff University graduates 48% of students within six years. Briar Cliff University awarded about 16 exercise science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, exercise science degree recipients from Briar Cliff University generally make around $61,105. Briar Cliff University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full exercise science program report for Briar Cliff University

20

William Penn University placed #20 among the best exercise science schools. Located in the town of Oskaloosa, William Penn University is a small private not-for-profit university. About 33% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 exercise science students who graduated with this degree at William Penn University in the most recent data year. Exercise Science graduates of William Penn University earn a median of $30,314 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the exercise science program at William Penn University

View All Exercise Science Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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