Exercise Science Degree in Salinas, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Exercise Science degree analysis for Salinas, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.4 yrs
in Salinas
Cost of Living
114
index (100 = avg)
Exercise Science in Salinas, CA Overview
Salinas, California (pop. 163,542) has 11 colleges offering Exercise Science programs. The local cost of living index of 114 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,437/month. Exercise Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Exercise Prescription and Fitness Testing. The adjusted starting salary in Salinas is approximately $57,000.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$7,143/yr
Private Tuition
$45,859/yr
Room & Board
$15,993/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,003/yr
Unemployment
4.3%
Graduation Rate
69%
Exercise Science Salary in Salinas (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salinas's cost of living index of 114 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Exercise Science salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Salinas adjustment factor: 1.14x based on the local cost of living index.
Exercise Science ROI Calculator for Salinas
Estimate your return on investment for a Exercise Science degree using local Salinas tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,143 | Private avg: $45,859
Salinas avg aid: $9,003/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,544
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,100
vs HS diploma in Salinas
ROI Payback Period
5.4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salinas
$192,456
Lifetime earnings premium ($285,000) minus total education cost ($92,544)
Student Loan Payoff for Exercise Science in Salinas
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salinas for Exercise Science
California State University, Monterey Bay
public
$7,143/yr
$28,572 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Hartnell College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Exercise Science in Salinas
Salinas offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Exercise Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salinas Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Exercise Science Job Titles
Exercise Science in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$56K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Salinas
Pharmacy
$57K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$57K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$78K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$57K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$57K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$57K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$57K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$57K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Exercise Science Degree in Salinas — 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 Salinas.