- Programs ranked
- 12
- Avg graduation rate
- 51%
- Median wage (BLS)
- $59,460
What Associate's in Kinesiology Programs in California Cost and Who Gets In
We scored all 187 associate's programs in exercise science and kinesiology (CIP 31.0505) on the same weighted model, then pulled the 12 highest scoring in California. Pasadena City College leads the state with a score of 94.8, which is national rank 1 out of 187. 12 of the 12 also land in the national top 25.
The 12 schools with a published graduation rate average 51%. Together they conferred 424 associate's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.
All 12 are public institutions. None carry an online flag in IPEDS, so plan on attending in person.
All 12 Associate's in Kinesiology Programs in California, Ranked (2026)
Each bar shows where the program’s national score falls between 50 and 100, ticked at 75 for the middle of the range.
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Rank 1: Pasadena City College
Kinesiology, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)
Pasadena, CA · Public · city campus
Our score
1st of 12 in California
National rank 1 of 187
The AA-T requires one activity course from three of six movement areas, aquatics to team sports, inside a 60-unit transfer core anchored by Human Anatomy, Human Physiology and an introduction to kinesiology course.
Pasadena City College leads California at 94.8, ahead of the other 11 programs ranked here. Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 91 associate's degrees a year, 21% of the 424 awarded across California at this level. Nationally it is 1st of the 187 associate's programs scored at this level.
- Guaranteed CSU admission with junior standing
- List A adds courses in chemistry, physics or statistics
- 2.0 GPA minimum with C grades required in the major
- 91 kinesiology associate degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 48%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $10,848
- Undergrad enrollment
- 24,597
- Degrees conferred
- 91
View Pasadena City College's Kinesiology, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T) pasadena.edu
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Rank 2: De Anza College
Kinesiology for Transfer, Associate in Arts for Transfer (A.A.-T.)
Cupertino, CA · Public · city campus
Our score
2nd of 12 in California
National rank 2 of 187
The catalog lists this AA-T as pending state approval for 2025-2026, so candidates weighing a 68% graduation rate should confirm the degree's status with the CTE Division Office before enrolling toward it.
De Anza College places 2nd of 12 in California at 94.6, with 1 program scoring above it. Its 68% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 37 associate's degrees a year, 9% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Certificate of Achievement-Advanced requires English and math proficiency
- Stacked Skills, Achievement and Achievement-Advanced certificates
- 90 quarter units, at least 24 at De Anza
- 37 kinesiology associate degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 68%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $12,420
- Undergrad enrollment
- 17,425
- Degrees conferred
- 37
View De Anza College's Kinesiology for Transfer, Associate in Arts for Transfer (A.A.-T.) www.deanza.edu
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Rank 3: Mt San Antonio College
Kinesiology, Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T)
Walnut, CA · Public · suburban campus
Our score
3rd of 12 in California
National rank 3 of 187
A 45% graduation rate, in the 81st percentile among 187 peer kinesiology associate programs, drives most of Mt. SAC's 92.2 score.
Mt San Antonio College places 3rd of 12 in California at 92.2, with 2 programs scoring above it. Its 45% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 80 associate's degrees a year, 19% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Coaching certificate available alongside the AA-T
- Athletic training certification requires additional schooling beyond the degree
- Small classes with faculty holding master's degrees
- 80 kinesiology associate degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 45%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $10,388
- Undergrad enrollment
- 29,971
- Degrees conferred
- 80
View Mt San Antonio College's Kinesiology, Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) www.mtsac.edu
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Rank 4: College of the Canyons
Kinesiology, Associate in Arts (AA)
Santa Clarita, CA · Public · suburban campus
Our score
4th of 12 in California
National rank 4 of 187
This local, non-transfer AA pairs a 23-unit kinesiology major with a required Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries course, an option for students who prefer it to the parallel Kinesiology ADT.
College of the Canyons places 4th of 12 in California at 91.7, with 3 programs scoring above it. Its 45% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 53 associate's degrees a year, 13% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Choice of Health Education or Nutrition elective
- Recommended Emergency Procedures elective available
- Two anatomy-and-physiology sequence options offered
- 53 kinesiology associate degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 45%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $10,896
- Undergrad enrollment
- 18,075
- Degrees conferred
- 53
View College of the Canyons' Kinesiology, Associate in Arts (AA) www.canyons.edu
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Rank 5: Foothill College
Kinesiology, Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T)
Los Altos Hills, CA · Public · suburban campus
Our score
5th of 12 in California
National rank 5 of 187
Foothill's kinesiology core runs a three-course, 15-unit human anatomy and physiology sequence, BIOL 40A, 40B and 40C, a full course beyond the two-course sequences most California AA-T catalogs require.
Foothill College places 5th of 12 in California at 91.5, with 4 programs scoring above it. Its 56% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 24 associate's degrees a year, 6% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Emergency Medical Response counts as a support-course option
- Activity requirement drawn from five movement areas
- 90-unit degree total including Cal-GETC
- 24 kinesiology associate degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 56%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $12,420
- Undergrad enrollment
- 12,949
- Degrees conferred
- 24
View Foothill College's Kinesiology, Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) foothill.edu
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Rank 6: Orange Coast College
Kinesiology, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)
Costa Mesa, CA · Public · city campus
Our score
6th of 12 in California
National rank 6 of 187
Orange Coast's AA-T lets a student bank up to 12 required residency units at sister campuses Golden West College or Coastline College, part of the shared Coast Colleges consortium.
Orange Coast College places 6th of 12 in California at 91.4, with 5 programs scoring above it. Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 28 associate's degrees a year, 7% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Personal Health counts as a support-course option
- American Government and US History embedded in GE pattern
- Total cost of attendance listed at $27,619
- 28 kinesiology associate degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 48%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $11,536
- Cost of attendance
- $27,619
- Undergrad enrollment
- 17,096
- Degrees conferred
- 28
View Orange Coast College's Kinesiology, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T) orangecoastcollege.edu
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Rank 7: Diablo Valley College
Associate in Arts for Transfer, Kinesiology
Pleasant Hill, CA · Public · suburban campus
Our score
7th of 12 in California
National rank 8 of 187
DVC students must choose upfront among four separate kinesiology associate tracks, Fitness Instruction, Sports Medicine or Athletic Training, Sports and Recreation Management, or the transfer-focused AA-T, since only the last guarantees CSU admission.
Diablo Valley College places 7th of 12 in California at 90.9, with 6 programs scoring above it. Its 49% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 17 associate's degrees a year, 4% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Department chair also coaches women's soccer
- 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certificate available
- Personal Training Entrepreneurship certificate offered
- 17 kinesiology associate degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 49%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $10,296
- Undergrad enrollment
- 17,228
- Degrees conferred
- 17
View Diablo Valley College's Associate in Arts for Transfer, Kinesiology www.dvc.edu
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Rank 8: Saddleback College
Kinesiology - Exercise Science, Associate in Arts (A.A.)
Mission Viejo, CA · Public · suburban campus
Our score
8th of 12 in California
National rank 9 of 187
Only one figure moves Saddleback's score much: a 48% graduation rate, good for the 88th percentile among 187 peer kinesiology associate programs, feeding straight into the 90.6 result.
Saddleback College places 8th of 12 in California at 90.6, with 7 programs scoring above it. Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 20 associate's degrees a year, 5% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Prepares for athletic-training or physical-therapy program admission
- Coursework in biomechanics and fitness components
- Pathway into physical-therapist office aide roles
- 20 kinesiology associate degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 48%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $14,760
- Undergrad enrollment
- 20,764
- Degrees conferred
- 20
View Saddleback College's Kinesiology - Exercise Science, Associate in Arts (A.A.) www.saddleback.edu
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Rank 9: Irvine Valley College
Kinesiology, AA-T
Irvine, CA · Public · city campus
Our score
9th of 12 in California
National rank 10 of 187
Students who want a guaranteed CSU transfer without leaving completion to chance should shortlist Irvine Valley College's AA-T in Kinesiology, one of 23 IVC degrees with that guarantee.
Irvine Valley College places 9th of 12 in California at 90.2, with 8 programs scoring above it. Its 57% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 6 associate's degrees a year, 1% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Transfer agreement with Chapman University
- Recognized by Concordia University's transfer pathway
- Movement-based units across three activity areas
- 60-unit AA-T finished in four semesters
- 57% graduation rate, well above median for the level
- Graduation rate
- 57%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $11,808
- Undergrad enrollment
- 13,018
- Degrees conferred
- 6
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Rank 10: Santiago Canyon College
Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Orange, CA · Public · city campus
Our score
10th of 12 in California
National rank 12 of 187
Santiago Canyon College ties CSU-transferable general education credit to its Basic Circuit Weight Training sequence, a structure paired with an 88th-percentile graduation rate and a field-degree count well past the median for the level.
Santiago Canyon College places 10th of 12 in California at 89.6, with 9 programs scoring above it. Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 18 associate's degrees a year, 4% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Fitness center restricted to enrolled kinesiology students
- Weight stack machines, kettlebells and free weights on site
- Flat panel TVs with Direct TV in the fitness center
- 18 kinesiology degrees conferred a year
- 48% graduation rate, above the median for the level
- Graduation rate
- 48%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $9,552
- Undergrad enrollment
- 11,897
- Degrees conferred
- 18
View Santiago Canyon College's Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.sccollege.edu/SitePages/Home.aspx
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Rank 11: El Camino Community College District
Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Torrance, CA · Public · suburban campus
Our score
11th of 12 in California
National rank 13 of 187
El Camino's Adapted Physical Education Program runs students through PE400-409, a fitness and aquatics sequence built around two indoor heated pools designed for both new swimmers and advanced hydro-exercise.
El Camino Community College District places 11th of 12 in California at 89.2, with 10 programs scoring above it. Its 42% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 36 associate's degrees a year, 8% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Adapted Physical Education program for students with disabilities
- Flotation devices and student assistants support aquatics safety
- PE407 Adapted Bowling and PE409 Adapted Yoga courses
- 36 field degrees conferred a year
- 42% graduation rate above median for the level
- Graduation rate
- 42%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $7,590
- Undergrad enrollment
- 21,664
- Degrees conferred
- 36
View El Camino Community College District's Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.elcamino.edu
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Rank 12: Ohlone College
Kinesiology for Transfer
Fremont, CA · Public · city campus
Our score
12th of 12 in California
National rank 14 of 187
Choosing Ohlone College's Kinesiology for Transfer degree means trading a mid-pack department size, the 48th percentile for enrollment among peers, for a 52% graduation rate that beats nearly all of its associate's peers.
Ohlone College places 12th of 12 in California at 89.1, with 11 programs scoring above it. Its 52% graduation rate sits against a 42% to 68% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.
It confers 14 associate's degrees a year, 3% of the 424 awarded across California at this level.
- Health and Wellness interest area classification
- Prepares for Athletic Trainer and Coach roles
- Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) structure
- 14 kinesiology degrees conferred yearly
- 9,061 total campus enrollment
- Graduation rate
- 52%
- Out-of-state tuition
- $8,616
- Undergrad enrollment
- 9,061
- Degrees conferred
- 14
View Ohlone College's Kinesiology for Transfer www.ohlone.edu
Every Associate's in Kinesiology Program in California Compared
The same scores in one readout. Tuition is the published in-state rate before aid.
| # | School | City | Grad rate | Admit rate | In-state | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Pasadena City College | Pasadena | 48% | | ||
| 02 | De Anza College | Cupertino | 68% | | ||
| 03 | Mt San Antonio College | Walnut | 45% | | ||
| 04 | College of the Canyons | Santa Clarita | 45% | | ||
| 05 | Foothill College | Los Altos Hills | 56% | | ||
| 06 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa | 48% | | ||
| 07 | Diablo Valley College | Pleasant Hill | 49% | | ||
| 08 | Saddleback College | Mission Viejo | 48% | | ||
| 09 | Irvine Valley College | Irvine | 57% | | ||
| 10 | Santiago Canyon College | Orange | 48% | | ||
| 11 | El Camino Community College District | Torrance | 42% | | ||
| 12 | Ohlone College | Fremont | 52% | |
A blank cell means the institution did not file that figure with IPEDS.
What Kinesiology Careers Pay in California
Occupational medians for everyone in the job, not starting pay and not outcomes for any one program.
Exercise Physiologists in California
- California median
- $62,440
- vs national
- +$2,980
- Employed in CA
- 640
- 10th to 90th
- $36,970 – $106,290
Exercise Physiologists in California earn a median of $62,440, $2,980 above the national median of $59,460, across 640 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $36,970 and the top tenth clear $106,290, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.
Every California Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage
| Occupation | CA median | vs national | Jobs in CA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapists | $124,510 | +$24,180 | 13,810 |
| Physical Therapists | $124,190 | +$21,430 | 26,580 |
| Recreational Therapists | $98,170 | +$36,210 | 1,920 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 | +$14,730 | 9,400 |
| Athletic Trainers | $78,490 | +$15,970 | 1,760 |
| Exercise Physiologists | $62,440 | +$2,980 | 640 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | +$10,830 | 43,600 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | +$340 | 31,150 |
Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for California, Occupational Therapists pays the most at $124,510 ($24,180 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 43,600 jobs in the state paying a median of $57,990. All 8 with a national comparison pay above their national medians here.
Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in California
This page ranks associate's programs only. California reports programs at other levels too, and each level is compared only with programs at that same level.
What Careers Can You Get With an Associate's in Kinesiology?
These 2 occupations list this credential, or less, as their typical entry requirement. The other 6 need further study, and each page says what. Figures are California’s own BLS medians where published.
- Occupational Therapist$124,510 median in California · needs master's degree
- Physical Therapist$124,190 median in California · needs doctoral degree
- Recreational Therapist$98,170 median in California · needs bachelor's degree
- Physical Therapist Assistant$83,110 median in California · reachable at this level
- Athletic Trainer$78,490 median in California · needs master's degree
- Exercise Physiologist$62,440 median in California · needs bachelor's degree
- Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$57,990 median in California · reachable at this level
- Coach or Scout$47,660 median in California · needs bachelor's degree
Entry requirements are O*NET’s typical-entry field; wages are BLS OEWS. Neither is a guarantee about any individual program’s graduates.
Rank 1 here is highest scoring in California, not nationally; each card carries its national rank as well. Every program on this site is ranked the same way — see how we compare them.
Sources for this page
Associate's in Kinesiology Programs Near California
The same ranking, filtered to one state at a time. The number is how many programs that state ranks.