Kinesiology Degree Programs

Minnesota · Associate's ranking

Best Kinesiology Associate's Programs in Minnesota

7 associate's programs in exercise science and kinesiology, ranked on graduation rate, admissions selectivity, in-state cost, and field outcomes.

Last updated

Programs ranked
7
In-state tuition
$4,502 to $5,759
Avg graduation rate
36%
Median wage (BLS)
$59,460

What Associate's in Kinesiology Programs in Minnesota 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 7 highest scoring in Minnesota. Dakota County Technical College leads the state with a score of 78.8, which is national rank 68 out of 187. None of the 7 crack the national top 25, so read the scores below rather than assuming a national reputation.

In-state tuition runs from $4,502 to $5,759 across the 7 programs with a published rate. The 7 schools with a published graduation rate average 36%. Together they conferred 24 associate's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

All 7 are public institutions. None carry an online flag in IPEDS, so plan on attending in person.

All 7 Associate's in Kinesiology Programs in Minnesota, 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.

  1. Rank 1: Dakota County Technical College

    Exercise & Sport Science, A.S. / A.A.S.

    Rosemount, MN · Public · rural campus

    Our score

    1st of 7 in Minnesota

    National rank 68 of 187

    Students chasing a personal-training credential alongside their associate should look at DCTC, which builds a 16-credit ACE-partnered certificate directly into the Exercise and Sport Science program.

    Dakota County Technical College leads Minnesota at 78.8, ahead of the other 6 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $5,759 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $4,502 to $5,759. Its 58% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 58% spread across the 7 Minnesota schools that report one.

    It confers 1 associate's degrees a year, 4% of the 24 awarded across Minnesota at this level. Nationally it is 68th of the 187 associate's programs scored at this level.

    • National ACE certification exam prep
    • Credit for Prior Learning accepted
    • Guaranteed junior status at Minnesota State transfer schools
    • Dual A.S. and A.A.S. degree tracks
    Graduation rate
    58%
    In-state tuition
    $5,759
    Out-of-state tuition
    $5,759
    Undergrad enrollment
    2,894
    Degrees conferred
    1

    View Dakota County Technical College's Exercise & Sport Science, A.S. / A.A.S. www.dctc.edu

  2. Rank 2: Minnesota State College Southeast

    Exercise Science Transfer Pathway AS

    Winona, MN · Public · town campus

    Our score

    2nd of 7 in Minnesota

    National rank 88 of 187

    Minnesota State College Southeast trades a very small Exercise Science cohort, just one degree conferred a year, for a graduation rate in the 85th percentile among 187 comparable programs.

    Minnesota State College Southeast places 2nd of 7 in Minnesota at 75.4, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $5,676 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,502 to $5,759.

    Its 47% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 58% spread across the 7 Minnesota schools that report one. It confers 1 associate's degrees a year, 4% of the 24 awarded across Minnesota at this level.

    • 60-credit AS curriculum
    • Winona and Red Wing campuses
    • Feeds Athletic Training and Physical Therapy Assistant careers
    • Core coursework in biology, chemistry, and human physiology
    Graduation rate
    47%
    In-state tuition
    $5,676
    Out-of-state tuition
    $5,676
    Undergrad enrollment
    2,331
    Degrees conferred
    1

    View Minnesota State College Southeast's Exercise Science Transfer Pathway AS www.southeastmn.edu

  3. Rank 3: Minnesota North College

    Exercise Science Transfer Pathway

    Hibbing, MN · Public · town campus

    Our score

    3rd of 7 in Minnesota

    National rank 100 of 187

    Minnesota North College carries one of the smallest enrollments in its group of comparable programs, a 10th-percentile 3,174 students, in exchange for a graduation rate six points above the 36% median for the level.

    Minnesota North College places 3rd of 7 in Minnesota at 74.1, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $5,374 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,502 to $5,759.

    Its 42% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 58% spread across the 7 Minnesota schools that report one. It confers 6 associate's degrees a year, 25% of the 24 awarded across Minnesota at this level.

    • 3,174 total enrollment
    • 6 degrees conferred yearly
    • Public community college, town campus
    Graduation rate
    42%
    In-state tuition
    $5,374
    Out-of-state tuition
    $5,374
    Cost of attendance
    $19,404
    Undergrad enrollment
    3,174
    Degrees conferred
    6

    View Minnesota North College's Exercise Science Transfer Pathway minnesotanorth.edu

  4. Rank 4: Anoka-Ramsey Community College

    Exercise Science Transfer Pathway, A.S.

    Coon Rapids, MN · Public · suburban campus

    Our score

    4th of 7 in Minnesota

    National rank 153 of 187

    Students who want to finish a bachelor's without leaving Coon Rapids, through Anoka-Ramsey's on-campus partnership with Southwest Minnesota State University, should shortlist this Exercise Science Transfer Pathway A.S.

    Anoka-Ramsey Community College places 4th of 7 in Minnesota at 64, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $4,942 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,502 to $5,759.

    Its 30% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 58% spread across the 7 Minnesota schools that report one. It confers 4 associate's degrees a year, 17% of the 24 awarded across Minnesota at this level.

    • 60-credit transfer to Minnesota State's seven universities
    • Bachelor's completion without leaving campus
    • CPR/AED and first aid built into coursework
    • Hands-on fitness-testing labs
    Graduation rate
    30%
    In-state tuition
    $4,942
    Out-of-state tuition
    $4,942
    Undergrad enrollment
    8,486
    Degrees conferred
    4

    View Anoka-Ramsey Community College's Exercise Science Transfer Pathway, A.S. www.anokaramsey.edu

  5. Rank 5: Normandale Community College

    Exercise Science Transfer Pathway, A.S.

    Bloomington, MN · Public · city campus

    Our score

    5th of 7 in Minnesota

    National rank 156 of 187

    A kinesiology lab for measuring cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility fitness levels anchors Normandale's Exercise Science Transfer Pathway A.S., which scores 62.6 against Anoka-Ramsey Community College's 64 in the same group of comparable programs.

    Normandale Community College places 5th of 7 in Minnesota at 62.6, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $5,347 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,502 to $5,759.

    Its 27% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 58% spread across the 7 Minnesota schools that report one. It confers 4 associate's degrees a year, 17% of the 24 awarded across Minnesota at this level.

    • 12-credit ACSM-aligned personal training certificate
    • 60-credit transfer to Minnesota State's seven universities
    • Activity courses include rock climbing and backpacking
    • Fitness center supports lab coursework
    Graduation rate
    27%
    In-state tuition
    $5,347
    Out-of-state tuition
    $5,347
    Undergrad enrollment
    11,026
    Degrees conferred
    4

    View Normandale Community College's Exercise Science Transfer Pathway, A.S. www.normandale.edu

  6. Rank 6: North Hennepin Community College

    Exercise Science, A.S.

    Brooklyn Park, MN · Public · suburban campus

    Our score

    6th of 7 in Minnesota

    National rank 180 of 187

    North Hennepin lets a Twin Cities student finish SMSU's Exercise Specialist bachelor's without leaving Brooklyn Park, trading a stronger completion record for that convenience.

    North Hennepin Community College places 6th of 7 in Minnesota at 57.9, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $4,502 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $4,502 to $5,759.

    Its 22% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 58% spread across the 7 Minnesota schools that report one. It confers 4 associate's degrees a year, 17% of the 24 awarded across Minnesota at this level.

    • Named pre-professional tracks for PT and OT
    • Program directed by named SMSU faculty lead
    • Bachelor's completed at NHCC's University Center
    • Flat tuition regardless of residency
    Graduation rate
    22%
    In-state tuition
    $4,502
    Out-of-state tuition
    $4,502
    Undergrad enrollment
    5,563
    Degrees conferred
    4

    View North Hennepin Community College's Exercise Science, A.S. www.nhcc.edu

  7. Rank 7: Inver Hills Community College

    Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Inver Grove Heights, MN · Public · suburban campus

    Our score

    7th of 7 in Minnesota

    National rank 183 of 187

    Prospective students eyeing athletic training, exercise physiology, or recreational therapy roles, the occupations Inver Hills names directly, fit this program best.

    Inver Hills Community College places 7th of 7 in Minnesota at 56.4, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $5,420 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,502 to $5,759.

    Its 24% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 58% spread across the 7 Minnesota schools that report one. It confers 4 associate's degrees a year, 17% of the 24 awarded across Minnesota at this level.

    • HLC regional accreditation
    • Four career sectors: industry, health, education, sport
    • Flat $5,420 tuition for all residents
    • Minnesota State system member college
    Graduation rate
    24%
    In-state tuition
    $5,420
    Out-of-state tuition
    $5,420
    Undergrad enrollment
    3,804
    Degrees conferred
    4

    View Inver Hills Community College's Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.inverhills.edu

Every Associate's in Kinesiology Program in Minnesota 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 Dakota County Technical College Rosemount 58% $5,759
02 Minnesota State College Southeast Winona 47% $5,676
03 Minnesota North College Hibbing 42% $5,374
04 Anoka-Ramsey Community College Coon Rapids 30% $4,942
05 Normandale Community College Bloomington 27% $5,347
06 North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park 22% $4,502
07 Inver Hills Community College Inver Grove Heights 24% $5,420

A blank cell means the institution did not file that figure with IPEDS.

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Minnesota

Occupational medians for everyone in the job, not starting pay and not outcomes for any one program.

Exercise Physiologists in Minnesota

Minnesota median
$67,230
vs national
+$7,770
Employed in MN
250
10th to 90th
$61,640 – $95,140

Exercise Physiologists in Minnesota earn a median of $67,230, $7,770 above the national median of $59,460, across 250 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $61,640 and the top tenth clear $95,140, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Minnesota Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation MN median vs national Jobs in MN
Physical Therapists $102,010 −$750 5,180
Occupational Therapists $93,050 −$7,280 3,670
Recreational Therapists $76,360 +$14,400 250
Exercise Physiologists $67,230 +$7,770 250
Physical Therapist Assistants $66,770 −$1,610 1,230
Athletic Trainers $65,390 +$2,870 820
Coaches and Scouts $48,050 +$730 4,680
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $43,620 −$3,540 7,010

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Minnesota, Physical Therapists pays the most at $102,010 ($750 below its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 7,010 jobs in the state paying a median of $43,620. 4 of the 8 with a national comparison pay above their national medians here.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in Minnesota

This page ranks associate's programs only. Minnesota 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 Minnesota’s own BLS medians where published.

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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota

The same ranking, filtered to one state at a time. The number is how many programs that state ranks.