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2024 Best Exercise Science and Kinesiology Schools

338 Colleges in the United States
32,435 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 32,435 degrees in exercise science and kinesiology during the 2021-2022 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
50 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were about 50 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent year we have data available.

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
149 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a wonderful choice for students interested in a degree in exercise science and kinesiology. Located in the medium-sized city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very 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 approximately 149 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
193 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in exercise science and kinesiology has to check out The University of Texas at Austin. UT Austin is a fairly large public university located in the 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 about 193 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available.

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
279 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 279 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
115 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 115 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year.

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
381 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were about 381 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa in the most recent data year.

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
407 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 schools nationwide means IU Bloomington is a great university overall.

There were roughly 407 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
166 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were approximately 166 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Miami University - Oxford in the most recent year we have data available.

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
184 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were about 184 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at ASU - Tempe in the most recent data year.

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
385 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 colleges for overall quality in the state of West Virginia.

There were approximately 385 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
171 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were about 171 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent year we have data available.

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
208 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the large 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 schools nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were roughly 208 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent data year.

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

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 approximately 28 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available.

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
351 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were roughly 351 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
121 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Located in the small 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 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 121 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent year we have data available.

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

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CT
37 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

UCONN is a fairly 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 approximately 37 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
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MI
333 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were about 333 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State in the most recent year we have data available.

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
184 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were roughly 184 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available.

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
261 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 approximately 261 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
297 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 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Jersey.

There were approximately 297 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers New Brunswick in the most recent data year.

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
198 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

UGA is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of Athens. A Best Colleges rank of #72 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UGA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 198 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent data year.

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
100 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were roughly 100 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
222 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

Iowa State is a fairly 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 about 222 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Iowa State in the most recent data year.

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
216 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were about 216 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Colorado State in the most recent year we have data available.

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

25
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
7th Most Popular In NY
42 Exercise Science Degrees Awarded

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

There were roughly 42 exercise science and kinesiology students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available.

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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28
29
30
31
32

33

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
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.

RankCollegeLocation
51University of Illinois at ChicagoChicago, IL
52Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI
53Central Washington UniversityEllensburg, WA
54Winona State UniversityWinona, MN
55Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR
56Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA
57Springfield CollegeSpringfield, MA
58University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA
59Southern Nazarene UniversityBethany, OK
60University of MemphisMemphis, TN
61Maryville University of Saint LouisSaint Louis, MO
62Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX
63Oklahoma State University - Main CampusStillwater, OK
64University of Cincinnati - Main CampusCincinnati, OH
65Lindenwood UniversitySaint Charles, MO
66Arkansas State University - Main CampusJonesboro, AR
67Wake Forest UniversityWinston-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 MajorAnnual Graduates
Sports Management17,486
Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General13,335
Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness1,377
Physical Fitness Technician1,336
Sports Studies583

View All Exercise Science Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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