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Kinesiology Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026

Kinesiology degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$54K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$66K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.7 yrs

in Lexington

Cost of Living

107

index (100 = avg)

Kinesiology in Lexington, KY Overview

Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Kinesiology programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Kinesiology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $53,500.

Category

Healthcare

Local Colleges

14

Public Tuition

$12,360/yr

Private Tuition

$42,200/yr

Room & Board

$10,700/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$8,397/yr

Unemployment

6.4%

Graduation Rate

65%

Kinesiology Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,500(+$3,500 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$66,340(+$4,340 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$83,460(+$5,460 vs national)

Note: National average Kinesiology salary: $50,000 starting, $62,000 mid-career, $78,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.

Kinesiology ROI Calculator for Lexington

Estimate your return on investment for a Kinesiology degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200

Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$92,240

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$16,050

vs HS diploma in Lexington

ROI Payback Period

5.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Lexington

$228,760

Lifetime earnings premium ($321,000) minus total education cost ($92,240)

Student Loan Payoff for Kinesiology in Lexington

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$92,240
Monthly Payment$1,047
Total Interest$33,444
% of Monthly Income23%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$92,240
Monthly Payment$1,805
Total Interest$16,047
Interest Savings$17,397

Colleges in Lexington for Kinesiology

University of Kentucky

public

$12,360/yr

$49,440 total

Transylvania University

private

$42,200/yr

$168,800 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Bluegrass Community and Technical College

$4,680/yr

Top Employers for Kinesiology in Lexington

Lexington offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Kinesiology graduates. National top employers in this field include:

HospitalsSports TeamsPhysical Therapy ClinicsFitness CentersSchools

Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Kinesiology Job Titles

Physical Therapist AssistantAthletic TrainerExercise Physiologist

Kinesiology Degree in Lexington — 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 Kinesiology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Lexington.

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