30 Best Bachelor’s Degrees In Exercise Science

Updated November 15, 2022

Exercise Science is more often than not an interdisciplinarily focused field, where those who choose to study the discourse are consequently exposed to, and trained, for a variety of related fields. Such industries generally include kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and sociology. Earning a Bachelor's in Exercise Science will provide foundational knowledge in all of these ...

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Best Exercise Science Degrees

Exercise Science is more often than not an interdisciplinarily focused field, where those who choose to study the discourse are consequently exposed to, and trained, for a variety of related fields. Such industries generally include kinesiology, anatomy, physiology, psychology, and sociology. Earning a Bachelor's in Exercise Science will provide foundational knowledge in all of these areas, as well as the many types of application and practice that results from this education.

Students who pursue a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science are prepared to enter the professional workforce as health and fitness instructors, health and wellness advocates, sports-related specialists, and more. Most undergraduate programs in Exercise Science or Kinesiology provides its students with research, or practical and professional internship opportunities, to ready them for a hands-on experience in the application of their understanding of the field.

For those interested in pursuing graduate and professional level medicine, majoring in Exercise Science serves as an all-encompassing preparation. Many universities with Exercise Science or Kinesiology undergraduate programs also offer accessible transition into their MS and Doctoral programs.

Regardless of career or higher education prospect, majoring in Exercise Science or Kinesiology prepares students with a broadly focused and multifaceted science background. The options after completion of the Bachelor's in Exercise Science will be exciting and plenty.

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Top 30 Best Bachelor's Degrees in Exercise Science

  1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Location

    Chapel Hill, NC

    Tuition

    $11100

    The Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science programs offered by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a general major within the Exercise and Sport Science Department at the university, which also offers other related undergraduate programs. The BA in EXSS consists of a multifaceted and interdisciplinary curriculum, drawing from anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology, and other sciences. Graduates are prepared for careers in allied health professions and a wide array of health, sports, wellness, and clinical settings. All students in the program have access to research opportunities in EXSS, beginning with possible lab volunteerships as early as their freshmen year.

  2. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    Location

    Champaign, IL

    Tuition

    $16638

    The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology offered by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provides an interdisciplinary and broad general education in the field, with a focus on human movement and its relationship to the student's area of concentration. Core topics of the curriculum include social, cultural, and psychological aspects of physical activity; coordination, control, and skill; and the instructional processes and practices of teaching physical activity. Students looking to pursue physical education teaching opportunities post-graduation, there are teacher certification programs available within the department. All students in the program have access to hands-on, field experience working or researching in settings like high school athletic departments, health clubs, cardiac rehabilitation centers, and more.

  3. Texas A&M University -College Station
    Location

    College Station, TX

    Tuition

    $19554

    The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M University at College Station is designed to prepare students for careers in public education and exercise science. All students gain foundational knowledge and skills to prepare them for either the professional workforce or graduate level study. Admission is competitive to all majors within the Department of Health & Kinesiology due to all majors being impacted. Other than the impaction of the major, both freshmen, transfer, and readmitted students can apply. Within the BS in Kinesiology division in the Department of Health & Kinesiology, students may major in applied exercise physiology, basic exercise physiology, dance science and motor behavior, and many others.

  4. University of Georgia
    Location

    Athens, GA

    Tuition

    $15934

    University of Georgia's Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science is a high demand and consequently competitive program with limited enrollment. Applicants must have completed certain prerequisites and submit essays of purpose for studying Exercise and Sport Science. The program is designed to prepare for further medical study, with furthered specializations in pre-physical therapy, pre-medicine, pre-physician assistant, pre-occupational therapy, and pre-graduate study in related fields. The core exercise science courses include biomechanics, psychology, and epidemiology. All students are required to complete either research, practicum or internships, or service-learning experiences, to ensure hands-on experience before entering the professional field post-graduation.

  5. University of Minnesota -Twin Cities
    Location

    Minneapolis, MN

    Tuition

    $16808

    The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is designed for students in pursuit of graduate or professional programs in related areas like allied health, biomechanics, chiropractic medicine, dentistry, or nursing. Those who decide to enter the workforce after graduation is qualified for careers in athletic training, coaching, exercise testing and prescription in clinical settings, and more. The curriculum prepares students with advanced and foundational coursework in the interdisciplinary-focused field, as well as hands-on practice of the application of that knowledge through field experiences. All students can participate in practical experience, which may include working in clinical settings, fitness training settings, and even coaching.

  6. Michigan State University
    Location

    East Lansing, MI

    Tuition

    $16684

    The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Michigan State University has a curriculum centered around the study of physical activity and its importance to health, society, and the different qualities of life. The program draws from anatomical, biomechanical, developmental, physiological, and psychosocial aspects of the field. Upon graduation, students are prepared for careers in fitness leadership, health and wellness, and rehabilitation centers. They may also go onto graduate-level studies. All students complete an internship their senior year, earning valuable and professional field experience. Specialized course topics include Sport and Physical Activity in Society, Physical Growth and Motor Behavior, and The Healthy Lifestyle.

  7. Rutgers University -New Brunswick
    Location

    New Brunswick, NJ

    Tuition

    $16016

    The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers two specialization areas: Exercise Science and Sports Management. Both programs prepare students for professional careers in fields denoting from medicine, physical and occupational therapy, athletic training, athletic directors, and facility managers. The Kinesiology major is made up of interdisciplinary studies, focused on biomechanics, psychology, physiology, history of physical activity, and motor learning and control. Students also gain knowledge in the sociological education of physical activity. To declare the major, students should have completed a minimum of one semester at Rutgers University with a GPA of at least 2.0. They'll then have to meet with an academic advisor in the department to ensure they're on track for success in the program.

  8. University of Wisconsin -Eau Claire
    Location

    Eau Claire, WI

    Tuition

    $14398

    The Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a Movement Studies Emphasis from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire has a curriculum designed around career-based internships, research opportunities, and dedicated coursework that uses advanced equipment and facilities. The Kinesiology major is the only non-comprehensive major within the Department of Kinesiology, and so the emphasis or minor area, in this case, Movement Studies, helps narrow student's career focuses. Common minors for those in the major are dance, sports psychology, sociology, or business. Students in the BS in Kinesiology program benefit from community outreach opportunities throughout the Chippewa Valley and take courses focused on vital aspects to the field including motor development, biomechanics, and physiology.

  9. Michigan Technological University
    Location

    Houghton, MI

    Tuition

    $17139

    Michigan Technological University's Bachelor's in Pre-Health Professions is a broad-ranging program that houses four specialized majors to be earned as a Bachelor of Science: Biological Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, or Bioinformatics. The Medical Laboratory Science major has a 100 percent job-placement rate! All four majors prepare students for acceptance into competitive medical schools, or competitive professional careers right after graduation. Students in the Pre-Health Professions programs benefit from hands-on, case-based instruction, alongside rigorous coursework dedicated to all aspects of the related fields. Aside from the foundational knowledge earned in physical sciences and mathematics courses, electives can be taken in human nutrition, parasitology, cardiopulmonary physiology, and more.

  10. University of South Florida
    Location

    Tampa, FL

    Tuition

    $11766

    University of South Florida's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science program is housed within the university's College of Education, which speaks to the emphasis the curriculum gives to providing foundational knowledge that allows graduates to pursue careers providing support in strength and conditioning, corporate fitness, community fitness, and cardiac rehabilitation settings. For those interested in pursuing further education, the Master of Science in Exercise Science offered by USF would be a smooth transition into the graduate-level study. Admittance to the BS program is open to students beginning their junior year, after completion of prerequisite courses. All students must maintain at least a 2.5 overall GPA and participate in summer classes.

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Metric Data Used Percentage
Academic Quality Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates 25%
Affordability Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid 35%
Reputation Admission and enrollment rates 15%
Program Offerings Number of program options 10%
Online Enrollment Score Portion of learners taking at least one online course 15%
You can read more about our comprehensive evaluation process on our methodology page.

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  • Degree Investment Return (25%)
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  • Cost Value (25%)
  • Matriculation (10%)
  • Academic Success (15%)

No matter what degree you decide on, we hope our research and support has made the selection process easier. There are numerous resources BVS utilizes to collect information on degrees, and we encourage you to check them out for yourself!

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