UnisHub University Compass

Sport and Fitness Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Program Overview

Designed for aspiring leaders in the dynamic world of athletics and wellness, this program equips students with the strategic, operational, and managerial expertise needed to thrive in competitive sport and fitness environments. It integrates core principles from business, coaching, and physical education to prepare professionals for leadership roles across athletic organizations, fitness centers, rehabilitation facilities, and recreational services.

  • Program Planning and Development: Learn how to design, implement, and evaluate sport and fitness initiatives tailored to diverse populations and organizational goals.
  • Business and Financial Management: Master budgeting, financial forecasting, revenue generation, and cost control strategies essential for sustainable operations in sport and wellness enterprises.
  • Sales, Marketing, and Recruitment: Develop skills in brand positioning, customer engagement, digital marketing, and talent acquisition to grow membership and support programs effectively.
  • Event Promotion, Scheduling, and Management: Gain hands-on experience in organizing and executing sporting events, from logistics and vendor coordination to crowd management and post-event analysis.
  • Facilities Management: Understand the design, maintenance, safety compliance, and operational efficiency of athletic and fitness facilities.
  • Public Relations and Community Engagement: Build strategies to enhance organizational reputation, foster stakeholder relationships, and promote positive community impact.
  • Legal Aspects of Sports: Explore liability, contracts, athlete rights, compliance with regulations, and risk mitigation in sport and recreation settings.
  • Health and Safety Standards: Apply industry-specific protocols to ensure safe environments, prevent injuries, and meet accreditation requirements across sport and fitness operations.

Sport and Fitness Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)

17,472
Total Graduates (2023-2024)
655
Universities & Colleges
4
Career Pathways

Sport and Fitness Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook

The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Sport and Fitness Management degrees, including Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling, Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 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 603,940 professionals.


National Average Salaries

Occupation Median Salary Salary Range Total Employment Hourly Rate
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling 11-9072 $77,180 $45,320 - $134,680 36,700 $37.11
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1193 $75,890 $44,150 - $158,240 12,680 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

Salary Comparison

Sport and Fitness Management Salary Map by State

Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $43,385 in Delaware to $77,953 in California—a 80% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 603,940 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 Sport and Fitness Management by Graduate Enrollment

Below are the top 100 institutions offering Sport and Fitness Management 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 Sport and Fitness Management is found at University of Florida (UF) (367 graduates), University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia (299 graduates), Florida State University (FSU) (286 graduates), Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) (274 graduates), and Texas A & M University, College Station (255 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 10,026 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 Admissions Location Control Website
University of Florida (UF)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Residency
367 SAT: 1300-1480
ACT: 28-33
Gainesville, Florida Public ufl.edu
University of South Carolina (USC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
299 SAT: 1180-1380
ACT: 26-32
Columbia, South Carolina Public sc.edu
Florida State University (FSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
286 SAT: 1240-1390
ACT: 27-31
Tallahassee, Florida Public fsu.edu
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
274 SAT: 1150-1330
ACT: 24-29
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Public lsu.edu
Texas A & M University
Bachelor's
Master's
255 SAT: 1140-1380
ACT: 25-31
College Station, Texas Public tamu.edu
Concordia University (CUI)
Bachelor's
Master's
247 N/A Irvine, California Private cui.edu
Liberty University
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
222 N/A Lynchburg, Virginia Private liberty.edu
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)
Bachelor's
Master's
212 N/A Manchester, New Hampshire Private snhu.edu
American Public University System (APUS)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
197 N/A Charles Town, West Virginia Private apus.edu
University of Michigan (U‑M)
Bachelor's
Master's
195 SAT: 1350-1530
ACT: 31-34
Ann Arbor, Michigan Public umich.edu
James Madison University (JMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
188 SAT: 1170-1320
ACT: 25-29
Harrisonburg, Virginia Public jmu.edu
University of Cincinnati (UC)
Bachelor's
Master's
185 SAT: 1150-1360
ACT: 24-29
Cincinnati, Ohio Public uc.edu
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Bachelor's
Master's
178 SAT: 960-1150
ACT: 18-23
Durant, Oklahoma Public se.edu
The University of Tennessee
Bachelor's
Master's
165 SAT: 1190-1340
ACT: 25-31
Knoxville, Tennessee Public utk.edu
University of Massachusetts
Bachelor's
Master's
164 SAT: 1300-1480
ACT: 29-33
Amherst, Massachusetts Public umass.edu
University of Louisville (UofL)
Bachelor's
Master's
157 SAT: 1020-1250
ACT: 19-27
Louisville, Kentucky Public louisville.edu
Ohio State University
Bachelor's
149 SAT: 1330-1480
ACT: 29-32
Columbus, Ohio Public osu.edu
University of Georgia (UGA)
Bachelor's
146 SAT: 1160-1390
ACT: 25-32
Athens, Georgia Public uga.edu
Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
142 SAT: 1320-1480
ACT: 30-34
Dallas, Texas Private smu.edu
Miami University
Bachelor's
Master's
141 SAT: 1210-1380
ACT: 26-31
Oxford, Ohio Public miamioh.edu
Georgetown University (GU)
Master's
139 SAT: 1390-1550
ACT: 32-34
Washington, District of Columbia Private georgetown.edu
University of Iowa
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
139 SAT: 1130-1320
ACT: 22-28
Iowa City, Iowa Public uiowa.edu
Temple University
Bachelor's
Master's
138 N/A Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Public temple.edu
State University of New York
Bachelor's
Master's
137 N/A Cortland, New York Public www2.cortland.edu
Coastal Carolina University (CCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
134 SAT: 1050-1210
ACT: 20-26
Conway, South Carolina Public coastal.edu
University of Miami (UM)
Bachelor's
Master's
132 SAT: 1330-1470
ACT: 30-33
Coral Gables, Florida Private miami.edu
Grand Canyon University (GCU)
Bachelor's
128 SAT: 1058-1175
ACT: 19-24
Phoenix, Arizona Private gcu.edu
Texas Tech University (TTU)
Bachelor's
Master's
128 SAT: 1090-1270
ACT: 22-28
Lubbock, Texas Public ttu.edu
Arkansas State University (A-State)
Bachelor's
Master's
127 SAT: 1030-1180
ACT: 19-25
Jonesboro, Arkansas Public astate.edu
University of Minnesota (UMN)
Bachelor's
Master's
117 SAT: 1310-1480
ACT: 27-31
Minneapolis, Minnesota Public twin-cities.umn.edu
North Carolina State University (NC State)
Bachelor's
115 SAT: 1300-1460
ACT: 28-32
Raleigh, North Carolina Public ncsu.edu
Ohio University (OHIO)
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
113 SAT: 1100-1290
ACT: 22-28
Athens, Ohio Public ohio.edu
Kennesaw State University (KSU)
Bachelor's
113 SAT: 1020-1220
ACT: 19-25
Kennesaw, Georgia Public kennesaw.edu
Towson University (TU)
Bachelor's
109 SAT: 1050-1270
ACT: 19-28
Towson, Maryland Public towson.edu
North Carolina A & T State University (NC A&T)
Bachelor's
105 SAT: 960-1190
ACT: 16-22
Greensboro, North Carolina Public ncat.edu
Monroe College
Associate's
Bachelor's
102 N/A Bronx, New York Private monroecollege.edu
University of Kansas (KU)
Bachelor's
Other Award
101 SAT: 1050-1290
ACT: 21-27
Lawrence, Kansas Public ku.edu
Rutgers University
Bachelor's
Master's
99 SAT: 1270-1480
ACT: 28-33
New Brunswick, New Jersey Public newbrunswick.rutgers.edu
Syracuse University
Bachelor's
96 SAT: 1260-1430
ACT: 28-32
Syracuse, New York Private syracuse.edu
The University of Tampa (UTampa)
Bachelor's
82 N/A Tampa, Florida Private ut.edu
Georgia Southern University
Bachelor's
Master's
81 SAT: 980-1160
ACT: 18-23
Statesboro, Georgia Public georgiasouthern.edu
University of San Francisco (USF)
Master's
79 SAT: 1210-1390
ACT: 26-31
San Francisco, California Private usfca.edu
St. John's University (SJU)
Bachelor's
Master's
79 SAT: 1110-1320
ACT: 24-29
Queens, New York Private stjohns.edu
Bowling Green State University (BGSU)
Bachelor's
79 SAT: 1020-1230
ACT: 20-26
Bowling Green, Ohio Public bgsu.edu
The University of Texas
Bachelor's
78 SAT: 1230-1490
ACT: 27-33
Austin, Texas Public utexas.edu
Wingate University
Bachelor's
Master's
77 SAT: 990-1270
ACT: 18-24
Wingate, North Carolina Private wingate.edu
University of North Florida (UNF)
Bachelor's
76 SAT: 990-1210
ACT: 20-26
Jacksonville, Florida Public unf.edu
University of Florida (UF Online)
Bachelor's
73 SAT: 1255-1390
ACT: 27-31
Gainesville, Florida Public ufonline.ufl.edu
Endicott College
Bachelor's
Master's
71 SAT: 1160-1340
ACT: 26-29
Beverly, Massachusetts Private endicott.edu
University of Houston (UH)
Bachelor's
Master's
71 SAT: 1150-1330
ACT: 23-28
Houston, Texas Public uh.edu
Central Michigan University (CMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
69 SAT: 960-1210
ACT: 21-27
Mount Pleasant, Michigan Public cmich.edu
University of Memphis (UofM)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
69 SAT: 905-1205
ACT: 17-24
Memphis, Tennessee Public memphis.edu
Western Michigan University (WMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
68 SAT: 990-1220
ACT: 20-27
Kalamazoo, Michigan Public wmich.edu
Western Carolina University (WCU)
Bachelor's
Master's
67 SAT: 1050-1260
ACT: 20-26
Cullowhee, North Carolina Public wcu.edu
University of Southern Mississippi (USM)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
66 ACT: 19-27 Hattiesburg, Mississippi Public usm.edu
East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
66 SAT: 950-1170
ACT: 19-26
Johnson City, Tennessee Public etsu.edu
Washington State University (WSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
66 N/A Pullman, Washington Public wsu.edu
Minnesota State University
Bachelor's
Master's
65 ACT: 22-25 Mankato, Minnesota Public mnsu.edu
Kent State University
Bachelor's
Master's
65 SAT: 1000-1230
ACT: 18-25
Kent, Ohio Public kent.edu
Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (P)
65 SAT: 940-1170
ACT: 20-26
California, Pennsylvania Public pennwest.edu
Columbia University in the City of New York
Master's
64 SAT: 1490-1570
ACT: 34-35
New York, New York Private columbia.edu
Concordia University (CUC)
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
63 N/A River Forest, Illinois Private cuchicago.edu
Northern Illinois University (NIU)
Bachelor's
Master's
63 N/A Dekalb, Illinois Public niu.edu
Wayne State University (WSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
63 SAT: 1040-1260
ACT: 21-28
Detroit, Michigan Public wayne.edu
Grand Valley State University (GVSU)
Bachelor's
61 SAT: 940-1190
ACT: 21-28
Allendale, Michigan Public gvsu.edu
Xavier University (XU)
Bachelor's
Master's
61 SAT: 1060-1298
ACT: 22-29
Cincinnati, Ohio Private xavier.edu
Wichita State University (WSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
60 SAT: 970-1250
ACT: 18-26
Wichita, Kansas Public wichita.edu
University of Wisconsin
Bachelor's
Master's
58 ACT: 18-25 Kenosha, Wisconsin Public uwp.edu
Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
57 N/A New Haven, Connecticut Public southernct.edu
University of Delaware (UD)
Bachelor's
57 SAT: 1200-1360
ACT: 27-31
Newark, Delaware Public udel.edu
Ball State University (BSU)
Bachelor's
Master's
57 SAT: 1080-1250
ACT: 25-30
Muncie, Indiana Public bsu.edu
University of Connecticut (UConn)
Bachelor's
56 SAT: 1210-1420
ACT: 29-33
Storrs, Connecticut Public uconn.edu
Gonzaga University
Bachelor's
Master's
56 SAT: 1220-1410
ACT: 26-31
Spokane, Washington Private gonzaga.edu
Clemson University
Master's
54 SAT: 1230-1390
ACT: 28-32
Clemson, South Carolina Public clemson.edu
Texas State University (TXST)
Bachelor's
54 SAT: 980-1190
ACT: 19-26
San Marcos, Texas Public txst.edu
California State University (CSULB)
Master's
53 N/A Long Beach, California Public csulb.edu
Farmingdale State College (FSC)
Bachelor's
53 SAT: 1020-1200
ACT: 19-27
Farmingdale, New York Public farmingdale.edu
Old Dominion University (ODU)
Bachelor's
Master's
53 SAT: 1110-1290
ACT: 22-27
Norfolk, Virginia Public odu.edu
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)
Bachelor's
52 SAT: 930-1190
ACT: 17-24
Richmond, Kentucky Public eku.edu
Canisius University
Bachelor's
Master's
52 N/A Buffalo, New York Private canisius.edu
Indiana State University (ISU)
Bachelor's
Master's
51 N/A Terre Haute, Indiana Public indstate.edu
SUNY Oneonta
Bachelor's
51 SAT: 1090-1250
ACT: 23-28
Oneonta, New York Public suny.oneonta.edu
Elon University
Bachelor's
51 SAT: 1143-1305
ACT: 23-28
Elon, North Carolina Private elon.edu
Northwestern University
Master's
Post-Master's
50 SAT: 1490-1560
ACT: 33-35
Evanston, Illinois Private northwestern.edu
Boston College (BC)
Master's
50 SAT: 1430-1540
ACT: 33-34
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Private bc.edu
Tiffin University (TU)
Bachelor's
Master's
50 SAT: 870-1120
ACT: 15-22
Tiffin, Ohio Private tiffin.edu
Baldwin Wallace University (BW)
Bachelor's
Master's
47 SAT: 1050-1285
ACT: 20-27
Berea, Ohio Private bw.edu
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
Master's
47 SAT: 1030-1270
ACT: 22-30
Richmond, Virginia Public vcu.edu
Springfield College
Bachelor's
46 SAT: 1070-1260 Springfield, Massachusetts Private springfield.edu
Eastern Michigan University (EMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
46 SAT: 910-1170
ACT: 18-26
Ypsilanti, Michigan Public emich.edu
University of Central Missouri (UCM)
Bachelor's
Master's
46 ACT: 18-24 Warrensburg, Missouri Public ucmo.edu
SUNY Brockport
Bachelor's
Master's
45 SAT: 1070-1240
ACT: 18-26
Brockport, New York Public brockport.edu
Merrimack College
Bachelor's
44 N/A North Andover, Massachusetts Private merrimack.edu
Davenport University
Bachelor's
44 N/A Grand Rapids, Michigan Private davenport.edu
University of New Hampshire (UNH)
Bachelor's
44 SAT: 1120-1320
ACT: 26-31
Durham, New Hampshire Public unh.edu
Benedict College
Bachelor's
Master's
44 SAT: 820-1010
ACT: 14-19
Columbia, South Carolina Private benedict.edu
Colorado Mesa University (CMU)
Bachelor's
Master's
43 SAT: 930-1180
ACT: 19-26
Grand Junction, Colorado Public coloradomesa.edu
Drexel University
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
43 SAT: 1230-1430
ACT: 27-33
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Private drexel.edu
University of Arizona
Other Award
42 SAT: 1160-1420
ACT: 21-30
Tucson, Arizona Public arizona.edu
Bryan University
Bachelor's
42 N/A Tempe, Arizona Private bryanuniversity.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Sport and Fitness Management programs

How much can I earn with a Sport and Fitness Management degree?

Salaries for Sport and Fitness Management graduates vary by role and location. Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling earn a median of $77,180 annually, while Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $75,890. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $77,953 compared to $43,385 in Delaware. Approximately 603,940 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 Sport and Fitness Management programs?

Currently 655 accredited institutions offer Sport and Fitness Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Florida (UF) (367 graduates), University of South Carolina (USC), Columbia (299 graduates), and Florida State University (FSU) (286 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 Sport and Fitness Management growing or declining?

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 8,848 in 2010 to 17,472 in 2023-24. This represents a 97% 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 Sport and Fitness Management degree?

This degree prepares you for roles such as Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling, Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. Related occupations employ approximately 603,940 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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