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Exercise Science Degree in Jackson, MS — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$47K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$54K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.2 yrs

in Jackson

Cost of Living

93

index (100 = avg)

Exercise Science in Jackson, MS Overview

Jackson, Mississippi (pop. 153,701) has 11 colleges offering Exercise Science programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $855/month. Exercise Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Exercise Prescription and Fitness Testing. The adjusted starting salary in Jackson is approximately $46,500.

Category

Healthcare

Local Colleges

11

Public Tuition

$8,684/yr

Private Tuition

$27,400/yr

Room & Board

$12,839/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$14,629/yr

Unemployment

4.6%

Graduation Rate

62%

Exercise Science Salary in Jackson (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Jackson's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$46,500($-3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$53,940($-4,060 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$66,960($-5,040 vs national)

Note: National average Exercise Science salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Jackson adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.

Exercise Science ROI Calculator for Jackson

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

Public avg: $8,684 | Private avg: $27,400

Jackson avg aid: $14,629/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$86,092

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,950

vs HS diploma in Jackson

ROI Payback Period

6.2 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Jackson

$146,408

Lifetime earnings premium ($232,500) minus total education cost ($86,092)

Student Loan Payoff for Exercise Science in Jackson

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$978
Total Interest$31,215
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$86,092
Monthly Payment$1,684
Total Interest$14,977
Interest Savings$16,238

Colleges in Jackson for Exercise Science

Jackson State University

public

$8,684/yr

$34,736 total

Belhaven University

private

$27,400/yr

$109,600 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Hinds Community College

$3,300/yr

Top Employers for Exercise Science in Jackson

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

YMCAHospitalsSports TeamsFitness CentersCorporate Wellness

Key Jackson 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 Jackson — 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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