Top 10 Schools for Exercise Science and Kinesiology in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 5 min read
Direct answer
The University of Michigan School of Kinesiology is the top pick, and its site cites Niche (2027) as the #1 public college for kinesiology and sport management. UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida follow, and Florida has the lowest published in-state tuition at $6,440.
$17,656 tuition plus $466 fees and taxes (in-state first-year, estimated 2026-27)
Students who want a Kinesiology B.S. with an accredited athletic training master’s on the same campus
Pick by what you want
Best overall
University of Michigan School of Kinesiology
Best lowest in-state price
University of Florida Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
Best stated accreditation
Springfield College Applied Exercise Science
Best range of majors
UT Austin Kinesiology and Health Education
Best BS/MPH route
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Kinesiology
The ranking
1
University of Michigan School of Kinesiology
Photo: Cbl62 / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe only school here that cites a 2027 ranking for its field.
Tuition (2026-27): $18,896 (Michigan-resident, lower-division, full-time tuition and fees, estimated fall/winter 2026-27)Ranking: Its site cites Niche, 2027: #1 public college for kinesiology and sport management in the U.S.Programs: Applied Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Intraoperative Neurophysiology, Movement Science and Sport ManagementSize: 3 undergraduate programs, 6 graduate programs and 35+ research labs and centers
Michigan’s School of Kinesiology offers Applied Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Intraoperative Neurophysiology, Movement Science and Sport Management, with 3 undergraduate programs, 6 graduate programs and 35+ research labs and centers. Michigan-resident lower-division tuition and fees are an estimated $18,896 for fall/winter 2026-27.
Go ifStudents who want a stand-alone School of Kinesiology with a published 2027 ranking
Skip ifYou are not a Michigan resident and want a lower price
Why #1 over #2: It is the only school here whose own site cites a 2027 ranking, Niche’s #1 public college for kinesiology and sport management.
2
UNC Chapel Hill Exercise and Sport Science
Photo: Rfano18 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe broadest list of named labs.
Tuition (2026-27): $7,230 tuition plus $2,130 fees (in-state undergraduate budget, students admitted Fall 2026/Spring 2027)Undergraduate degrees: BA in EXSS, BS in EXSS, BA - Fitness Professional and BA - Undergraduate Sport AdministrationLabs and centers: Applied Physiology Laboratory, Cardiometabolic Lab, Exercise Oncology Research Laboratory, Motion Science Institute and the Matthew Gfeller Center, among othersGraduate programs: Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Post-Professional Athletic Training and Sport Administration
UNC’s Exercise and Sport Science department offers a BA and a BS in EXSS, a BA - Fitness Professional and a BA - Undergraduate Sport Administration. Its named labs include the Applied Physiology Laboratory and the Exercise Oncology Research Laboratory. In-state budget: $7,230 tuition plus $2,130 fees.
Go ifNorth Carolina students who want a BA or BS in exercise and sport science with a Fitness Professional route
Skip ifYou want a program that states its accreditation on the main page
Why #2 over #3: It publishes a longer list of named research labs and centers than Florida’s page does.
3
University of Florida Applied Physiology and Kinesiology
Photo: Kate Haskell from Gainesville, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe lowest tuition on the list, with a required internship.
Tuition (2026-27): $6,440 (in-state undergraduate tuition and fees, projected 2026-27 for incoming freshmen)Degrees: B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology (APK)Internship: All undergraduate APK students complete 12 credit hours of internship built into the degreeResearch strengths: Muscle biology, cardiovascular physiology, neuromuscular physiology, movement neuroscience and brain health
Florida’s Applied Physiology & Kinesiology department offers a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. and builds 12 credit hours of internship into the undergraduate degree. Its research strengths include muscle biology, cardiovascular physiology and movement neuroscience. Projected in-state tuition and fees are $6,440.
Go ifPre-health students who want the lowest published in-state price on this list plus a built-in internship
Skip ifYou want a sport-management or coaching focus
Why #3 over #4: It has the lowest published in-state price on this list, below UNC’s $7,230 in tuition alone.
4
Springfield College Applied Exercise Science
Photo: John Phelan / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe only program here that states CAAHEP accreditation.
Tuition (2026-27): $46,782 (undergraduate tuition; $1,124 fees and $616 technology fee are billed separately)Accreditation: The exercise science major is CAAHEP-accredited and the strength and conditioning concentration is CASCE-accreditedOptions: One concentration (Strength and Conditioning) or two tracks (Fitness Management and Personal Training, or Clinical)Facilities: Strength and Conditioning Facility and Human Performance Lab, plus three separate fieldwork or internship experiences
Springfield’s Applied Exercise Science major is CAAHEP-accredited and its strength and conditioning concentration is CASCE-accredited. Students use a Strength and Conditioning Facility and a Human Performance Lab and complete three fieldwork or internship experiences. Tuition is $46,782.
Go ifStudents who want the accreditation stated on the program page and a strength and conditioning concentration
Skip ifPrice matters most, since this is the highest tuition on the list
Why #4 over #5: It states its CAAHEP accreditation on the program page, which UT Austin’s department page does not.
5
UT Austin Kinesiology and Health Education
Photo: Randall Chancellor / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe widest set of majors in one department.
Tuition (2026-27): $10,858 to $13,576 (Texas-resident undergraduate, 2026-27; varies by program)Majors: Applied Movement Science, Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, Physical Culture and Sports, and Sport ManagementExercise Science: A B.S.KHE major aimed at health professions and sport sciences, preparing students for graduate and professional degrees or fitness, health and sport careersNon-resident tuition: $42,554 to $51,106 (undergraduate, 2026-27)
UT Austin’s department lists six undergraduate majors, including Exercise Science, Applied Movement Science and Athletic Training. Texas-resident tuition is $10,858 to $13,576, and non-resident tuition is $42,554 to $51,106.
Go ifTexas residents who want an Exercise Science major alongside Athletic Training and Sport Management
Skip ifYou are not a Texas resident and want a low price
Why #5 over #6: It offers Exercise Science and Applied Movement Science as separate majors, where Penn State folds Exercise Science into an option.
6
Penn State Kinesiology
Photo: Spangineer / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThree clearly separated options.
Tuition (2026-27): $10,439 per semester (Pennsylvania-resident, full-time, lower-division, University Park, 2026-27)Options: The B.S. in Kinesiology has three options: Applied Exercise and Health, Movement Science and Exercise ScienceExercise Science option: Offered at the Altoona, Berks and Harrisburg campuses, with a Business Emphasis or a Science EmphasisRequirements: A minimum of 120 credits and a culminating practicum or research experience
Penn State’s Kinesiology B.S. has three options, Applied Exercise and Health, Movement Science and Exercise Science, and requires at least 120 credits and a practicum or research experience. Exercise Science is offered at Altoona, Berks and Harrisburg. University Park tuition is $10,439 per semester for Pennsylvania residents.
Go ifPennsylvania students who want to choose between an applied option and a movement-science option
Skip ifYou want the Exercise Science option at University Park, where it is not listed
Why #6 over #7: It separates applied and movement-science training into distinct options, where Illinois uses concentrations.
7
Ohio State University Exercise Science
Photo: Michael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tuition (2026-27): $14,050 (Ohio-resident first-year, Columbus, tuition including instructional and general fees, 2026-27)Degree: Bachelor of Science in Education in Exercise ScienceFocus: Strongly emphasizes exercise physiology and draws on kinesiology, with research and hands-on opportunitiesPracticum: A semester-long practicum in healthcare, professional sports organizations, rehabilitation and other settingsNon-resident tuition: $44,271 (first-year, 2026-27)
Ohio State’s Exercise Science is a Bachelor of Science in Education that strongly emphasizes exercise physiology, with research opportunities and a semester-long practicum. Ohio-resident first-year tuition at Columbus is $14,050.
Go ifOhio residents who want an exercise-physiology-heavy degree with a semester practicum
Skip ifYou want a stand-alone School of Kinesiology
Why #7 over #8: It is a named exercise science degree with a semester-long practicum, where UMass offers a general Kinesiology B.S.
8
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Kinesiology
Photo: Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe one with a BS/MPH route.
Tuition (2026-27): $18,530 to $24,018 (in-state tuition and fees, 2026-2027, full-time; varies by major)Concentrations: Health Sciences, Applied Exercise Science, Biobehavioral Health Science or Teacher Education (PreK-12)Degree length: A minimum of 120 hours for graduationJoint degree: A 5-year BS/MPH joint degree is available to Kinesiology majors
Illinois offers a Kinesiology BS with four concentrations, including Applied Exercise Science, and 120 hours for graduation. A 5-year BS/MPH joint degree is available. In-state tuition and fees are $18,530 to $24,018.
Go ifStudents who want a BS in Kinesiology with an Applied Exercise Science concentration and an MPH option
Skip ifYou want the department name to stay fixed, since it is changing to Health and Kinesiology
Why #8 over #9: It offers a BS/MPH joint degree, which Michigan State’s page does not list.
9
UMass Amherst Kinesiology
Photo: Tomwsulcer / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA research-driven B.S. with a 4+1 route.
Tuition (2026-27): $9,606 per semester (in-state, full-time, 12 credits, tuition and fees, 2026-2027)Degrees: B.S. in Kinesiology, 4+1 Accelerated MS, MS and PhD in KinesiologyResearch areas: Movement Biomechanics, Movement Neuroscience, Muscle Physiology, and Physical Activity and NutritionApproach: Majors use molecular biology, neuroscience, engineering, medicine and computer science tools
UMass Amherst’s Kinesiology department offers a B.S., a 4+1 Accelerated MS, an MS and a PhD, with research in movement biomechanics, movement neuroscience and muscle physiology. In-state tuition and fees are $9,606 per semester.
Go ifMassachusetts students who want a science-heavy kinesiology B.S. with a 4+1 master’s path
Skip ifYou want a program with a named exercise science degree
Why #9 over #10: It offers a 4+1 Accelerated MS, which Michigan State’s page does not list.
10
Michigan State University Kinesiology
Photo: Tim Kiser (TimK MSI) / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA broad Kinesiology B.S. with an athletic training master’s.
Tuition (2026-27): $17,656 tuition plus $466 fees and taxes (in-state first-year, estimated 2026-27)Degrees: B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in KinesiologyAthletic training: The M.S. in Athletic Training is CAATE-accreditedCareers: The B.S. prepares students for allied health care, fitness and wellness promotion, community physical education, coaching and sports administration
Michigan State’s Kinesiology department offers a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D., plus a CAATE-accredited M.S. in Athletic Training. In-state first-year tuition is $17,656 plus $466 in fees and taxes.
Go ifStudents who want a Kinesiology B.S. with an accredited athletic training master’s on the same campus
Skip ifYou want a program that states exercise science accreditation
How we ranked these
This is an editorial ranking based on program breadth, stated accreditation, research and hands-on requirements. No school pays for placement. Every program fact and 2026-27 price comes from the school’s own pages, and tuition bases differ by school, so check each page. The only third-party ranking shown is Niche (2027), which Michigan cites on its own site. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best school for exercise science and kinesiology?
This list puts the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology first because its site cites Niche (2027) as the #1 public college for kinesiology and sport management. UNC Chapel Hill and the University of Florida follow.
Which exercise science program states CAAHEP accreditation?
Springfield College says its exercise science major is accredited by CAAHEP and its strength and conditioning concentration by CASCE.
Which school on this list has the lowest published in-state tuition?
The University of Florida, at $6,440 in projected 2026-27 in-state tuition and fees for incoming freshmen, followed by UNC Chapel Hill at $7,230 tuition plus $2,130 fees.
What is the difference between exercise science and kinesiology?
Names vary by school. UT Austin offers Exercise Science and Applied Movement Science as separate majors, while Penn State and Illinois offer an Exercise Science option or Applied Exercise Science concentration inside a Kinesiology B.S.
Published annual tuition, 2026-27 (USD; in-state where a school has residency rates; basis in each school’s facts) at a glance
University of Florida Applied Physiology and Kinesiology6,440 USD
UNC Chapel Hill Exercise and Sport Science7,230 USD
UT Austin Kinesiology and Health Education10,858 USD
Ohio State University Exercise Science14,050 USD
Michigan State University Kinesiology17,656 USD
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Kinesiology18,530 USD
University of Michigan School of Kinesiology18,896 USD
Springfield College Applied Exercise Science46,782 USD
Published annual tuition, 2026-27 (USD; in-state where a school has residency rates; basis in each school’s facts), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
