Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepares students to understand and apply the science and practice of physical activity in diverse contexts. This interdisciplinary field emphasizes the development of physical competence, wellness promotion, and leadership in sports and fitness environments through evidence-based instruction and experiential learning.
- Human Movement Studies: Explores the biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology underlying physical performance and motor skills across the lifespan.
- Motivation and Behavior in Physical Activity: Investigates psychological factors that influence engagement, adherence, and performance in exercise and sport settings.
- Sport-Specific Rules and Training Methodologies: Provides in-depth knowledge of competitive rules, tactical strategies, and effective training protocols for a range of athletic disciplines.
- Exercise and Fitness Principles: Covers foundational concepts in cardiovascular conditioning, strength development, flexibility, and program design tailored to individual and group needs.
- Injury Prevention and Basic Treatment: Equips learners with knowledge of common athletic injuries, risk reduction strategies, and immediate care techniques in physical activity contexts.
- Program Development and Leadership: Focuses on planning, managing, and delivering effective fitness, wellness, and sport programs in educational, community, and professional environments.
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education degrees, including Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, Athletes and Sports Competitors and Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 581,610 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1193 | $75,890 | $44,150 - $158,240 | 12,680 | N/A |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors 27-2021 | $62,360 | $24,960 - $239,200 | 14,370 | N/A |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors 39-9031 | $46,180 | $27,580 - $82,050 | 303,620 | $22.20 |
| Coaches and Scouts 27-2022 | $45,920 | $27,490 - $93,980 | 250,940 | N/A |
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $38,080 in Montana to $101,288 in New Jersey—a 166% difference. The highest-paying states include New Jersey, Utah, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 581,610 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education is found at California State University (CSUF), Fullerton (633 graduates), San Diego State University (SDSU) (406 graduates), Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) (389 graduates), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill (382 graduates), and California State University (CSUN), Northridge (351 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 10,314 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University (CSUF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
633 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Bachelor's
|
406 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
389 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
|
382 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| California State University (CSUN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
351 | Northridge, California | Public | csun.edu |
| College of the Canyons |
Associate's
|
323 | Santa Clarita, California | Public | canyons.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
317 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
300 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
281 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
278 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| California State University (CSUSB) |
Bachelor's
|
258 | San Bernardino, California | Public | csusb.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
212 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
193 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| Cabrillo College |
Associate's
|
183 | Aptos, California | Public | cabrillo.edu |
| California State University (CSUSM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
173 | San Marcos, California | Public | csusm.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
|
172 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| Shasta College |
Associate's
|
163 | Redding, California | Public | shastacollege.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
|
162 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
157 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
153 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| California State University (CSUMB) |
Bachelor's
|
145 | Seaside, California | Public | csumb.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
139 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| California State University (CSUEB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
136 | Hayward, California | Public | csueastbay.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Bachelor's
|
135 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| Tennessee Technological University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
127 | Cookeville, Tennessee | Public | tntech.edu |
| William & Mary (W&M) |
Bachelor's
|
122 | Williamsburg, Virginia | Public | wm.edu |
| University of the Cumberlands |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
115 | Williamsburg, Kentucky | Private | ucumberlands.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
114 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| Victor Valley College (VVC) |
Other Award
|
113 | Victorville, California | Public | vvc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
112 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| California State University (CSUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
109 | Bakersfield, California | Public | csub.edu |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
106 | Indiana, Pennsylvania | Public | iup.edu |
| Austin Peay State University (APSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
105 | Clarksville, Tennessee | Public | apsu.edu |
| Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
102 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Master's
|
100 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
|
98 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| Sonoma State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
97 | Rohnert Park, California | Public | sonoma.edu |
| University of Louisville (UofL) |
Bachelor's
|
90 | Louisville, Kentucky | Public | louisville.edu |
| Riverside City College (RCC) |
Associate's
|
88 | Riverside, California | Public | rcc.edu |
| Blinn College District |
Associate's
|
84 | Brenham, Texas | Public | blinn.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
79 | Chico, California | Public | csuchico.edu |
| Bryan University |
Associate's
|
77 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | bryanuniversity.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
76 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| University of North Carolina (UNCP) |
Bachelor's
|
76 | Pembroke, North Carolina | Public | uncp.edu |
| Eastern Oregon University (EOU) |
Bachelor's
|
76 | La Grande, Oregon | Public | eou.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
75 | Martin, Tennessee | Public | utm.edu |
| Southern Illinois University (SIUE) |
Master's
|
73 | Edwardsville, Illinois | Public | siue.edu |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
70 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | nccu.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
|
69 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| East Central University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
69 | Ada, Oklahoma | Public | ecok.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (Cal Poly Humboldt) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
67 | Arcata, California | Public | humboldt.edu |
| Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (SRU) |
Bachelor's
|
64 | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Public | sru.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
63 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
61 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| Northern Illinois University (NIU) |
Bachelor's
|
58 | Dekalb, Illinois | Public | niu.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
55 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
54 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| El Paso Community College (EPCC) |
Associate's
|
54 | El Paso, Texas | Public | epcc.edu |
| University of the Pacific (UOP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Stockton, California | Private | pacific.edu |
| Bridgewater College (BC) |
Bachelor's
|
52 | Bridgewater, Virginia | Private | bridgewater.edu |
| University of Northern Iowa (UNI) |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Public | uni.edu |
| Howard University (HU) |
Bachelor's
|
46 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | howard.edu |
| University of West Florida (UWF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | uwf.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| University of Guam (UOG) |
Bachelor's
|
41 | Mangilao, Guam | Public | uog.edu |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 | Natchitoches, Louisiana | Public | nsula.edu |
| Tennessee State University (TSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
40 | Nashville, Tennessee | Public | tnstate.edu |
| Jacksonville University (JU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Jacksonville, Florida | Private | ju.edu |
| Clovis Community College (CCC) |
Associate's
|
39 | Fresno, California | Public | cloviscollege.edu |
| Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
| Weber State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Ogden, Utah | Public | weber.edu |
| South Texas College (STC) |
Associate's
|
36 | McAllen, Texas | Public | southtexascollege.edu |
| Westfield State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
35 | Westfield, Massachusetts | Public | westfield.ma.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Master's
Other Award
|
34 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Central Texas College (CTC) |
Associate's
|
33 | Killeen, Texas | Public | ctcd.edu |
| Missouri Western State University (MWSU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | Saint Joseph, Missouri | Public | missouriwestern.edu |
| Cameron University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
32 | Lawton, Oklahoma | Public | cameron.edu |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) |
Master's
|
32 | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | commonwealthu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
31 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| Lubbock Christian University (LCU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Lubbock, Texas | Private | lcu.edu |
| West Virginia State University (WVSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
29 | Institute, West Virginia | Public | wvstateu.edu |
| Life University |
Master's
|
27 | Marietta, Georgia | Private | life.edu |
| Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
27 | Arnold, Maryland | Public | aacc.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Platteville, Wisconsin | Public | uwplatt.edu |
| Norco College |
Associate's
|
27 | Norco, California | Public | norcocollege.edu |
| North Park University |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | northpark.edu |
| Calvin University |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) |
Associate's
|
26 | Altus, Oklahoma | Public | wosc.edu |
| Moreno Valley College (MVC) |
Associate's
|
26 | Moreno Valley, California | Public | mvc.edu |
| Monmouth University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | West Long Branch, New Jersey | Private | monmouth.edu |
| Canisius University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Buffalo, New York | Private | canisius.edu |
| Portland Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
25 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pcc.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Turlock, California | Public | csustan.edu |
| Morehouse College |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | morehouse.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Navarro College |
Associate's
|
24 | Corsicana, Texas | Public | navarrocollege.edu |
| Milligan University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Milligan, Tennessee | Private | milligan.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education programs
How much can I earn with a Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education degree?
Salaries for Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education graduates vary by role and location. Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $75,890 annually, while Athletes and Sports Competitors earn around $62,360. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Jersey average $101,288 compared to $38,080 in Montana. Approximately 581,610 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education programs?
Currently 387 accredited institutions offer Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include California State University (CSUF), Fullerton (633 graduates), San Diego State University (SDSU) (406 graduates), and Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) (389 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 10,975 in 2010 to a peak of 14,097 in 2020, before declining slightly to 12,633 in 2023-24. This represents a 15% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, Athletes and Sports Competitors, and Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. Related occupations employ approximately 581,610 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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