Exercise Science Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of how exercise and physical activity impact the human body.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$58K
salary
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Exercise Science Overview
Study of how exercise and physical activity impact the human body.
Category
Healthcare
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
32%
Lifetime Premium
$250K
Female Graduates
52%
Exercise Science Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$14,850
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$14,850
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$235,150
Lifetime earnings premium ($250,000) minus net degree cost ($14,850)
Exercise Science Salary Progression
Common Exercise Science Careers
Exercise Physiologist
Strength Coach
Cardiac Rehab Specialist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Exercise Science
#1
University of Michigan
#2
Penn State
#3
University of Florida
#4
Indiana University
#5
University of Georgia
Related Majors
Exercise Science Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Exercise Science Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for exercise science programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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