Exercise Science and Kinesiology studies human movement, physical activity, and the body’s responses to exercise. Top Colleges for Exercise Science and kinesiology focuses on understanding how exercise affects the body and how to use this knowledge to improve health, fitness, and performance. Professionals in this field work in various settings, including fitness centers, sports teams, rehabilitation clinics, and research institutions. They help people improve their health, recover from injuries, and enhance athletic performance through tailored exercise programs and interventions. Here are the 30 top colleges for studying Exercise Science and kinesiology in 2024. Top Colleges for Exercise Science and kinesiology listing includes details like GPA requirements, median SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rates, admission requirements, and salary information. We also cover professional outcomes and academic highlights for each college.
30 Top Colleges for Exercise Science and kinesiology
1. University of Southern California
- GPA: 3.7+
- Median SAT: 1400
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 13%
- Requirements: Strong academics, impressive extracurriculars.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top sports and health jobs.
- Salary: $65,000 average starting salary, excellent prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Renowned faculty, state-of-the-art labs, hands-on learning.
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- GPA: 3.6+
- Median SAT: 1360
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Requirements: Strong academics, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health organizations.
- Salary: $62,000 average starting salary, solid growth.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive curriculum, experienced faculty, hands-on training.
3. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- GPA: 3.7+
- Median SAT: 1380
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Requirements: Strong academics, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading sports and health companies.
- Salary: $64,000 average starting salary, numerous opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Robust program, top-tier faculty, practical experience.
4. University of Florida
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 39%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top health and sports organizations.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, steady growth.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive curriculum, modern facilities, hands-on training.
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5. Ohio State University
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1320
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Requirements: Solid academic performance, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, major health and sports jobs.
- Salary: $62,000 average starting salary, diverse options.
- Academic Highlights: Renowned faculty, practical experience, state-of-the-art labs.
6. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1330
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Requirements: Strong academics, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health organizations.
- Salary: $61,000 average starting salary, numerous prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Robust program, experienced faculty, hands-on learning.
7. University of Texas at Austin
- GPA: 3.6+
- Median SAT: 1350
- Median ACT: 30
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Requirements: Strong academics, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading health and sports companies.
- Salary: $63,000 average starting salary, steady growth.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive curriculum, top faculty, practical experience.
8. University of Pittsburgh
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1290
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top health and fitness organizations.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, solid prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Modern facilities, experienced faculty, hands-on training.
9. University of Miami
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1330
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 27%
- Requirements: Strong academics, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, major sports and health jobs.
- Salary: $62,000 average starting salary, diverse opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program, renowned faculty, practical experience.
10. Indiana University Bloomington
- GPA: 3.3+
- Median SAT: 1260
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health organizations.
- Salary: $58,000 average starting salary, steady growth.
- Academic Highlights: Robust curriculum, hands-on training, experienced faculty.
11. University of Wisconsin-Madison
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1320
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Requirements: Solid academics, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading sports and health jobs.
- Salary: $62,000 average starting salary, numerous opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program, top faculty, practical experience.
12. Pennsylvania State University
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Requirements: Good academic performance, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top health and fitness organizations.
- Salary: $61,000 average starting salary, diverse prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Modern facilities, experienced faculty, hands-on training.
13. University of Maryland, College Park
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1320
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Requirements: Solid academics, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health companies.
- Salary: $62,000 average starting salary, numerous prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive curriculum, practical experience, experienced faculty.
14. University of Iowa
- GPA: 3.3+
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Requirements: Good academic performance, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading health and sports jobs.
- Salary: $58,000 average starting salary, steady growth.
- Academic Highlights: Robust curriculum, hands-on training, modern facilities.
Top Colleges for Exercise Science and kinesiology
15. Michigan State University
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top health and fitness companies.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, numerous prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program, experienced faculty, practical training.
16. University of Georgia
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Requirements: Good academic performance, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health organizations.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, steady growth.
- Academic Highlights: Modern facilities, experienced faculty, hands-on training.
17. University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1290
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Requirements: Solid academics, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading health and sports jobs.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, diverse opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program, top faculty, practical experience.
18. University of South Carolina
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 68%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health companies.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, solid prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Robust curriculum, hands-on training, modern facilities.
19. University of Virginia
- GPA: 3.7+
- Median SAT: 1400
- Median ACT: 31
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Requirements: Strong academics, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, major health and sports jobs.
- Salary: $65,000 average starting salary, diverse opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program, renowned faculty, practical experience.
20. University of Connecticut
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top health and fitness companies.
- Salary: $61,000 average starting salary, numerous prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Modern facilities, experienced faculty, hands-on training.
21. University of Tennessee
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Requirements: Good academic performance, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health organizations.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, steady growth.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive curriculum, practical experience, experienced faculty.
22. Baylor University
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1320
- Median ACT: 29
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Requirements: Solid academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading health and sports jobs.
- Salary: $62,000 average starting salary, numerous opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Modern facilities, hands-on training, top faculty.
23. Texas A&M University
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top health and fitness companies.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, diverse prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program, experienced faculty, practical training.
24. University of Kansas
- GPA: 3.3+
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Requirements: Good academic performance, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading health and sports jobs.
- Salary: $58,000 average starting salary, solid growth.
- Academic Highlights: Robust curriculum, hands-on training, modern facilities.
25. University of Arizona
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top health and fitness organizations.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, numerous opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Modern facilities, practical experience, experienced faculty.
26. University of Delaware
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1290
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 66%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health companies.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, steady growth.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive program, hands-on training, top faculty.
27. University of Kentucky
- GPA: 3.3+
- Median SAT: 1260
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 96%
- Requirements: Good academic performance, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading health and sports jobs.
- Salary: $58,000 average starting salary, diverse prospects.
- Academic Highlights: Robust curriculum, practical experience, experienced faculty.
28. Auburn University
- GPA: 3.4+
- Median SAT: 1280
- Median ACT: 27
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top fitness and health companies.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, numerous opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Modern facilities, hands-on training, top faculty.
29. Florida State University
- GPA: 3.5+
- Median SAT: 1300
- Median ACT: 28
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Requirements: Good academic performance, extracurricular activities.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, top health and fitness organizations.
- Salary: $60,000 average starting salary, steady growth.
- Academic Highlights: Comprehensive curriculum, practical experience, experienced faculty.
30. University of Rhode Island
- GPA: 3.3+
- Median SAT: 1250
- Median ACT: 26
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Requirements: Good academic record, extracurricular involvement.
- Professional Outcomes: High employment, leading health and sports jobs.
- Salary: $58,000 average starting salary, diverse opportunities.
- Academic Highlights: Modern facilities, hands-on training, experienced faculty.
Colleges with kinesiology Majors – Conclusion
Choosing the right college for exercise science and kinesiology is crucial for a successful career in health and sports. These 30 Top Colleges for Exercise Science and kinesiology offer strong programs with excellent faculty, modern facilities, and hands-on training. Graduates from these schools enjoy high employment rates and competitive salaries, with diverse job opportunities in the fitness, health, and sports industries. Researching and selecting the best fit for your academic goals and personal interests will set you on the path to a rewarding and impactful career. Good luck in finding the perfect program to help you achieve your dreams!