Kinesiology Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of human movement, physical activity, and body mechanics.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$62K
salary
ROI Payback
6 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Kinesiology Overview
Study of human movement, physical activity, and body mechanics.
Category
Healthcare
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
65%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
28%
Lifetime Premium
$300K
Female Graduates
55%
Kinesiology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,300
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,300
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$284,700
Lifetime earnings premium ($300,000) minus net degree cost ($15,300)
Kinesiology Salary Progression
Common Kinesiology Careers
Physical Therapist Assistant
Athletic Trainer
Exercise Physiologist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Kinesiology
#1
University of Michigan
#2
UCLA
#3
Penn State
#4
University of Texas
#5
Indiana University
Related Majors
Kinesiology Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Kinesiology Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for kinesiology programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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