by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, sports studies was the 557th most popular major nationwide with 614 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 138 over the prior year, a growth of 22.5%.
This year's Best Sports Studies Schools ranking compares 20 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sports studies programs later in this article.
Teaching others how to do something is a required skill for sports studies majors. Talking to others to convey information effectively and communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience are all required skills for careers related to this major.
sports studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic sports studies program qualifications, to serve in some sports studies careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are various different levels of sports studies degrees. You can get anything from a in sports studies to the highest sports studies degree, a . Sports Studies programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to sports studies, with approximately 74.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for sports studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 74.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 21.0% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 5.1% |
About 74.2% of workers in careers related to sports studies obtain at least doctor's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in sports studies have received.
This of course varies depending on which sports studies career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your sports studies degree? Sports Studies careers are expected to grow 9.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sports studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Professors | 22,600 | 9.7% |
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As you might expect, salaries for sports studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for sports studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers sports studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Professors | $72,190 |
With over 73 different sports studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased sports studies school rankings to help you with this.
Sports Studies is one of 5 different types of Health & Physical Education programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 32,740 |
| Sports Management | 16,971 |
| Sports Kinesiology and Physical Education/Fitness General | 13,944 |
| Outdoor Health & Physical Education/Fitness | 1,441 |
| Physical Fitness Technician | 1,436 |
