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Exercise Science Degree in Huntington Beach, CA — Salary & ROI 2026

Exercise Science degree analysis for Huntington Beach, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$84K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$98K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5 yrs

in Huntington Beach

Cost of Living

168.5

index (100 = avg)

Exercise Science in Huntington Beach, CA Overview

Huntington Beach, California (pop. 198,711) has 8 colleges offering Exercise Science programs. The local cost of living index of 168.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,880/month. Exercise Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Exercise Prescription and Fitness Testing. The adjusted starting salary in Huntington Beach is approximately $84,250.

Category

Healthcare

Local Colleges

8

Public Tuition

$14,500/yr

Private Tuition

$42,000/yr

Room & Board

$17,049/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$8,141/yr

Unemployment

5.4%

Graduation Rate

73%

Exercise Science Salary in Huntington Beach (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Huntington Beach's cost of living index of 168.5 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$84,250(+$34,250 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$97,730(+$39,730 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$121,320(+$49,320 vs national)

Note: National average Exercise Science salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Huntington Beach adjustment factor: 1.69x based on the local cost of living index.

Exercise Science ROI Calculator for Huntington Beach

Estimate your return on investment for a Exercise Science degree using local Huntington Beach tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $14,500 | Private avg: $42,000

Huntington Beach avg aid: $8,141/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$126,196

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$25,275

vs HS diploma in Huntington Beach

ROI Payback Period

5 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Huntington Beach

$295,054

Lifetime earnings premium ($421,250) minus total education cost ($126,196)

Student Loan Payoff for Exercise Science in Huntington Beach

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$126,196
Monthly Payment$1,433
Total Interest$45,756
% of Monthly Income20%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$126,196
Monthly Payment$2,469
Total Interest$21,954
Interest Savings$23,801

Colleges in Huntington Beach for Exercise Science

Huntington Beach State University

public

$13,570/yr

$54,280 total

University of Huntington Beach

public

$16,348/yr

$65,392 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Huntington Beach Community College

$7,272/yr

Top Employers for Exercise Science in Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Exercise Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

YMCAHospitalsSports TeamsFitness CentersCorporate Wellness

Key Huntington Beach Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Exercise Science Job Titles

Exercise PhysiologistStrength CoachCardiac Rehab Specialist

Exercise Science Degree in Huntington Beach — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

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Compare Exercise Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Huntington Beach.

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