Kinesiology graduates earn $54,562 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,049 and $73,020. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
This page covers Kinesiology as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Recreation & Fitness and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Kinesiology is a focused area of study within Recreation & Fitness. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $54,562 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 1,406 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 65,385 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is clinical and hands-on, often leading to licensure or certification.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$30,540
Median Earnings · 4yr
$54,562
Colleges Offering
1,406
Graduates / Year
65,385
Avg Net Price / yr
$14,245
How Much Do Kinesiology Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Kinesiology, a typical graduate earns $54,562, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $39,049 and $73,020, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $30,540 at one year out to $54,562 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$54,562
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$53,336
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Kinesiology graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Specialization and credential level drive most of the gap. Advanced practice roles (nurse practitioners, CRNAs, physician assistants) anchor the top; entry-level clinical and support roles sit at the bottom.
$39,04925th pct.
$54,562Median
$73,02075th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $54,562 and an estimated $56,980 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.3 years.
Based on outcomes from 966 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 65,385 students who complete Kinesiology programs each year, the majority (75%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
75%
Bachelor's75%
Master's14%
Associate's9%
What Can You Do With a Kinesiology Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Kinesiology graduates show up in 6 different occupations, and Entertainment and Recreation Managers pay the most at $79,520/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.
Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
InstructingSpeakingMonitoringLearning StrategiesJudgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category.
Plan, organize, and conduct practice sessions.
Provide training direction, encouragement, motivation, and nutritional advice to prepare athletes for games, competitive events, or tours.
Adjust coaching techniques, based on the strengths and weaknesses of athletes.
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise.
Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
Top Colleges for Kinesiology
Not sure where to study Kinesiology? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Kinesiology graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Recreation & Fitness Programs
Kinesiology is not the only path through Recreation & Fitness: 4 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Kinesiology program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Kinesiology shows 4 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $30,540 at graduation to $54,562 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +12.8% over the next decade, with Exercise Physiologists among the fastest-growing roles.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 114,300 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
Wide availabilityOffered at 1,406 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $54,562 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Licensure often requiredMost roles in this field require state licensure or certification before you can practice. Budget time and costs for board exams alongside your degree.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Highly competitive market65,385 students graduate from this program every year, one of the higher volumes nationally. Entry-level competition can be stiff.
Kinesiology Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Kinesiology graduates earn?
$54,562 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $39,049 and $73,020, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Kinesiology degree?
$30,540 in the first year out. That grows to $54,562 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Kinesiology degree?
Entertainment and Recreation Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $79,520 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Kinesiology program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Kinesiology bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Kinesiology?
1,406 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Kinesiology degree worth it?
$54,562 median earnings four years out against $14,245 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Kinesiology and Recreation & Fitness?
Kinesiology is the narrower of the two: Recreation & Fitness covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Kinesiology-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Kinesiology graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Kinesiology graduates consistently look for clinical judgment, patient communication, and evidence-based decision-making. Licensure, certifications, and supervised clinical hours are typically required or strongly preferred in most roles. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Kinesiology graduates?
Often, yes. Advanced degrees in this field (nurse practitioner, physician assistant, doctor of physical therapy) typically come with significantly higher pay and a wider scope of practice, which is why most students in health fields eventually go back for one. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Kinesiology graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +7.9% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Exercise Physiologists are among the strongest-growth roles at +12.8%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Recreation & Fitness Programs
Other programs in Recreation & Fitness. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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