Exercise Science Degree in Tempe, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Exercise Science degree analysis for Tempe, AZ. 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
7.6 yrs
in Tempe
Cost of Living
113
index (100 = avg)
Exercise Science in Tempe, AZ Overview
While Tempe has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Exercise Science students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,552/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 Tempe is approximately $56,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$40,205/yr
Room & Board
$19,552/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,200/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Exercise Science Salary in Tempe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tempe's cost of living index of 113 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Exercise Science salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Tempe adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Exercise Science ROI Calculator for Tempe
Estimate your return on investment for a Exercise Science degree using local Tempe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $40,205
Tempe avg aid: $15,200/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$128,076
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,950
vs HS diploma in Tempe
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tempe
$154,424
Lifetime earnings premium ($282,500) minus total education cost ($128,076)
Student Loan Payoff for Exercise Science in Tempe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tempe for Exercise Science
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Salado College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Exercise Science in Tempe
Tempe offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Exercise Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tempe Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Exercise Science Job Titles
Exercise Science in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Tempe
Pharmacy
$57K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$57K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$77K 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 Tempe — 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 Tempe.