Exercise Science Degree in Peoria, IL — Salary & ROI 2026
Exercise Science degree analysis for Peoria, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$52K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Peoria
Cost of Living
104
index (100 = avg)
Exercise Science in Peoria, IL Overview
While Peoria has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Exercise Science students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $10,566/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Exercise Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Exercise Prescription and Fitness Testing. The adjusted starting salary in Peoria is approximately $52,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$8,032/yr
Private Tuition
$38,400/yr
Room & Board
$10,566/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,588/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
47%
Exercise Science Salary in Peoria (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Peoria's cost of living index of 104 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Exercise Science salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Peoria adjustment factor: 1.04x based on the local cost of living index.
Exercise Science ROI Calculator for Peoria
Estimate your return on investment for a Exercise Science degree using local Peoria tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,032 | Private avg: $38,400
Peoria avg aid: $9,588/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$74,392
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,600
vs HS diploma in Peoria
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Peoria
$185,608
Lifetime earnings premium ($260,000) minus total education cost ($74,392)
Student Loan Payoff for Exercise Science in Peoria
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Peoria for Exercise Science
Bradley University
private
$38,400/yr
$153,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Illinois Central College
$4,980/yr
Top Employers for Exercise Science in Peoria
Peoria offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Exercise Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Peoria Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Exercise Science Job Titles
Exercise Science in Nearby Illinois Cities
Chicago, IL
$55K starting · COL 109
98 colleges
Aurora, IL
$46K starting · COL 92.8
7 colleges
Joliet, IL
$54K starting · COL 108
12 colleges
Naperville, IL
$51K starting · COL 102
13 colleges
Rockford, IL
$45K starting · COL 90
8 colleges
Elgin, IL
$40K starting · COL 79
13 colleges
Springfield, IL
$46K starting · COL 92
9 colleges
Waukegan, IL
$45K starting · COL 90.3
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Peoria
Pharmacy
$52K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$71K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$52K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$52K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$52K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$52K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$52K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Exercise Science Degree in Peoria — 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.
Explore More
Compare Exercise Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Peoria.