Sports Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the dynamic intersection of athletics, culture, and human behavior through a comprehensive academic lens. This program examines sport and physical activity not just as physical endeavors, but as powerful social, psychological, and historical phenomena that shape and reflect broader societal values.
- Theory of Sport: Investigate foundational frameworks that explain the purpose, structure, and function of sport within educational, cultural, and institutional contexts.
- Sport Psychology: Analyze the mental and emotional factors influencing athletic performance, motivation, team dynamics, and the psychological well-being of participants.
- Sport in American Society: Examine the role of sport in shaping national identity, media narratives, economic systems, and civic engagement across diverse communities.
- Gender and Race/Ethnicity in Sport: Explore how social identities intersect with participation, representation, access, and equity in athletic spaces and organizations.
- Sports History: Trace the evolution of athletic practices, institutions, and major events across time, highlighting pivotal moments that have influenced global and local sporting cultures.
Sports Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Sports Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Sports Studies degrees, including Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. 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 12,680 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 |
Sports Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $55,770 in Utah to $130,340 in California—a 134% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Arizona, and New York. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 12,680 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 Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 47 institutions offering Sports Studies 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 Studies is found at National University (NU) (53 graduates), Western Kentucky University (WKU) (51 graduates), Manhattanville College (44 graduates), East Carolina University (ECU) (43 graduates), and John Carroll University (JCU) (32 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 607 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National University (NU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
53 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| Manhattanville College |
Bachelor's
|
44 | Purchase, New York | Private | mville.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| John Carroll University (JCU) |
Bachelor's
|
32 | University Heights, Ohio | Private | jcu.edu |
| Denison University (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Granville, Ohio | Private | denison.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Other Award
|
24 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Master's
|
21 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Springfield College |
Master's
|
19 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| Adams State University |
Master's
|
17 | Alamosa, Colorado | Public | adams.edu |
| Randolph College (RC) |
Master's
|
16 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | randolphcollege.edu |
| Springfield College |
Master's
|
15 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| Erie Community College (SUNY Erie) |
Associate's
|
15 | Buffalo, New York | Public | ecc.edu |
| Minnesota State University |
Master's
|
14 | Mankato, Minnesota | Public | mnsu.edu |
| Adler University |
Master's
|
13 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | adler.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
13 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Cumberland University (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Lebanon, Tennessee | Private | cumberland.edu |
| Shenandoah University (SU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Winchester, Virginia | Private | su.edu |
| Texas Southern University (TSU) |
Master's
|
12 | Houston, Texas | Public | tsu.edu |
| Young Harris College (YHC) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Young Harris, Georgia | Private | yhc.edu |
| SUNY Broome Community College |
Associate's
|
10 | Binghamton, New York | Public | sunybroome.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| University of Mary (UMary) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Bismarck, North Dakota | Private | umary.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
7 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| McPherson College |
Bachelor's
|
7 | McPherson, Kansas | Private | mcpherson.edu |
| Southwestern College (SC) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Winfield, Kansas | Private | sckans.edu |
| Ottawa University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Ottawa, Kansas | Private | ottawa.edu |
| Oak Hills Christian College (OHCC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Private | oakhills.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Mishawaka, Indiana | Private | betheluniversity.edu |
| Earlham College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Richmond, Indiana | Private | earlham.edu |
| United States Sports Academy (USSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
3 | Daphne, Alabama | Private | ussa.edu |
| Post University |
Master's
|
3 | Waterbury, Connecticut | Private | post.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Master's
|
3 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Upper Iowa University (UIU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Fayette, Iowa | Private | uiu.edu |
| Concordia University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | csp.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Other Award
|
3 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Saint Mary (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Leavenworth, Kansas | Private | stmary.edu |
| Lake Erie College (LEC) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Painesville, Ohio | Private | lec.edu |
| Hillsdale College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Hillsdale, Michigan | Private | hillsdale.edu |
| Methodist University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Private | methodist.edu |
| Tiffin University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Tiffin, Ohio | Private | tiffin.edu |
| Temple University |
Other Award
|
1 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
| Whitworth University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Spokane, Washington | Private | whitworth.edu |
| Ottawa University (OUAZ) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Surprise, Arizona | Private | ottawa.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Sports Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Sports Studies degree?
Salaries for Sports Studies graduates vary by role and location. Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $75,890 annually. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $130,340 compared to $55,770 in Utah. Approximately 12,680 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 Studies programs?
Currently 47 accredited institutions offer Sports Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include National University (NU) (53 graduates), Western Kentucky University (WKU) (51 graduates), and Manhattanville College (44 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 Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 179 in 2010 to 607 in 2023-24. This represents a 239% 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 Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 12,680 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.
Related Kinesiology Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Kinesiology field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Golf Course Operations and Grounds Management
A program that prepares individuals to manage the operation of golf courses. Includes instruction in turf grass science and management, golf course design...
Parks and Recreation Management
Any instructional program in parks, recreation, and leisure facilities management not listed above.
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education
A general program that focuses on activities and principles that promote physical fitness, achieve and maintain athletic prowess, and accomplish related research and...
Sport and Fitness Management
A program that prepares individuals to apply business, coaching and physical education principles to the organization, administration and management of athletic programs and...
Exercise Science and Kinesiology
A scientific program that focuses on the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and biophysics of human movement, and applications to exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation. Includes...
Physical Fitness Technician
A program that prepares individuals for employment in health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, hospitals and corporate fitness...