Kinesiology and Exercise Science

Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment

Avg Earnings (4yr)

$34,408

Median Earnings

$53,340

Schools Offering

624

ROI Grade

Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)

25th: $48,413Median: $53,34075th: $58,308

Best Schools for Kinesiology and Exercise Science by Earnings

#	School	ROI	4yr Earnings	Net Price	Major Debt	Grade
1	Rice University TX · Private	98	$87,404	$13,370	$10,000	A
2	Emory University GA · Private	92	$87,254	$22,585	$19,883	C+
3	University of Virginia-Main Campus VA · Public	95	$81,110	$21,565	$23,250	D
4	University of Scranton PA · Private	75	$79,700	$32,568	$27,000	B+
5	Wake Forest University NC · Private	88	$79,599	$28,719	$23,250	F
6	University of Michigan-Ann Arbor MI · Public	95	$79,411	$13,138	$19,135	B
7	Manhattan University NY · Private	84	$78,264	$27,256	N/A	-
8	Seton Hall University NJ · Private	73	$77,835	$31,446	$24,125	C
9	Carroll University WI · Private	68	$77,095	$15,193	$27,000	D
10	Saint Louis University MO · Private	80	$77,066	$24,398	$26,316	B+
11	Simmons University MA · Private	72	$76,569	$25,265	$27,000	C
12	University of Delaware DE · Public	86	$76,478	$17,799	$25,336	D
13	Chapman University CA · Private	64	$75,108	$46,555	N/A	-
14	University of Wisconsin-Madison WI · Public	91	$74,963	$17,354	$26,000	D
15	Lebanon Valley College PA · Private	61	$74,429	$26,979	$27,000	C
16	University of Mississippi MS · Public	65	$73,870	$13,314	$23,034	F
17	Chatham University PA · Private	39	$73,633	$29,954	$26,453	B
18	University of Connecticut CT · Public	85	$73,289	$25,097	$23,125	D
19	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus CT · Public	85	$73,289	$10,875	$23,125	D
20	University of Connecticut-Avery Point CT · Public	87	$73,289	$13,807	$23,125	D
21	University of Connecticut-Stamford CT · Public	84	$73,289	$16,798	$23,125	D
22	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus CT · Public	87	$73,289	$16,403	$23,125	D
23	University of Massachusetts-Amherst MA · Public	83	$73,238	$22,383	$26,227	D
24	Purdue University-Main Campus IN · Public	91	$72,724	$14,600	$20,500	D
25	Wittenberg University OH · Private	52	$72,289	$18,649	$27,000	B
26	Rutgers University-New Brunswick NJ · Public	83	$71,844	$24,406	$26,000	D
27	DePauw University IN · Private	78	$71,696	$22,264	$27,000	B
28	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus OK · Public	83	$71,589	$15,300	$21,657	D
29	Miami University-Oxford OH · Public	54	$70,919	$28,384	$25,000	C
30	Creighton University NE · Private	79	$69,590	$31,568	N/A	-
31	William & Mary VA · Public	91	$68,992	$19,096	$21,413	D
32	University of Toledo OH · Public	48	$68,866	$17,249	$22,797	D
33	Indiana University-Bloomington IN · Public	84	$68,675	$16,264	$19,657	C+
34	Syracuse University NY · Private	76	$68,219	$38,793	$27,000	D
35	Bethel University MN · Private	71	$68,202	$28,556	$24,500	D
36	Elon University NC · Private	75	$68,178	$41,555	$23,250	F
37	University of Mary ND · Private	76	$68,088	$17,770	$26,000	B
38	Pace University NY · Private	68	$67,866	$30,892	N/A	-
39	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign IL · Public	93	$67,782	$14,355	$21,425	C
40	University of South Carolina-Columbia SC · Public	72	$67,705	$22,811	$25,000	C
41	Central Connecticut State University CT · Public	63	$67,562	$16,857	$26,000	D
42	Saint Ambrose University IA · Private	57	$67,548	$24,691	$26,000	D
43	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton PA · Public	66	$67,399	$17,910	$27,000	D
44	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona PA · Public	59	$67,399	$22,213	$27,000	D
45	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks PA · Public	58	$67,399	$24,356	$27,000	D
46	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg PA · Public	59	$67,399	$23,330	$27,000	D
47	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus PA · Public	62	$67,399	$32,875	$27,000	D
48	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington PA · Public	63	$67,399	$18,071	$27,000	D
49	Sonoma State University CA · Public	81	$67,351	$12,885	$19,628	C
50	Michigan State University MI · Public	79	$67,290	$19,680	$26,000	D

Below Average Value

Is Kinesiology and Exercise Science Worth It?

Proceed With a Plan

The financial returns for Kinesiology and Exercise Science are below average. At $34,408 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.

With 624 schools offering this major, you have significant choice. That's good news - it means you can shop for the best ROI within the field rather than settling for whatever program accepts you.

The top school for this major by earnings is University of Scranton, where graduates earn $79,700 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.

Best ROI Schools for Kinesiology and Exercise Science All Majors ROI Calculator Compare Schools

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Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.