- Programs ranked
- 6
- In-state tuition
- $4,620 to $36,636
- Avg graduation rate
- 37%
- Median wage (BLS)
- $59,460
What Associate's in Kinesiology Programs in New Jersey 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 6 highest scoring in New Jersey. Centenary University leads the state with a score of 80.4, which is national rank 54 out of 187. None of the 6 crack the national top 25, so read the scores below rather than assuming a national reputation.
In-state tuition runs from $4,620 to $36,636 across the 6 programs with a published rate. The 6 schools with a published graduation rate average 37%. The one school publishing an admit rate reports 83%. Together they conferred 98 associate's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.
5 of the 6 are public institutions and 1 is private. None carry an online flag in IPEDS, so plan on attending in person.
All 6 Associate's in Kinesiology Programs in New Jersey, 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.
-
Rank 1: Centenary University
Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Hackettstown, NJ · Private nonprofit · suburban campus
Our score
1st of 6 in New Jersey
National rank 54 of 187
Just one student a year completes this associate credential at Centenary, a small, 83% admit campus that suits someone who wants a boutique program over a crowded one.
Centenary University leads New Jersey at 80.4, ahead of the other 5 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $36,636 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $4,620 to $36,636. Its 56% graduation rate sits against a 26% to 56% spread across the 6 New Jersey schools that report one. It is the only private institution on this list, so its published rate does not split in-state and out-of-state.
It admits 83% of applicants. It confers 1 associate's degrees a year, 1% of the 98 awarded across New Jersey at this level. Nationally it is 54th of the 187 associate's programs scored at this level.
- Required internship for graduation
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification included
- Curriculum aligned to DPT and Athletic Training prerequisites
- $45,000 to $70,000 reported salary range
- Graduation rate
- 56%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- In-state tuition
- $36,636
- Out-of-state tuition
- $36,636
- Cost of attendance
- $55,244
- Undergrad enrollment
- 936
- Degrees conferred
- 1
View Centenary University's Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.centenaryuniversity.edu
-
Rank 2: Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus
Exercise Science, A.S.
Sewell, NJ · Public · suburban campus
Our score
2nd of 6 in New Jersey
National rank 79 of 187
The 3+1 track here keeps students at RCSJ tuition for three years before a single senior year at Rowan University, trading a faster bachelor's timeline for a cheaper one.
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus places 2nd of 6 in New Jersey at 76.8, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $4,620 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $4,620 to $36,636.
Its 39% graduation rate sits against a 26% to 56% spread across the 6 New Jersey schools that report one. It confers 28 associate's degrees a year, 29% of the 98 awarded across New Jersey at this level.
- Gloucester campus location
- MSCHE accredited
- CPR, first aid, and nutrition in outcomes
- Financial aid eligible
- Graduation rate
- 39%
- In-state tuition
- $4,620
- Out-of-state tuition
- $4,620
- Undergrad enrollment
- 5,218
- Degrees conferred
- 28
View Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus' Exercise Science, A.S. rcsj.edu
-
Rank 3: County College of Morris
Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Randolph, NJ · Public · suburban campus
Our score
3rd of 6 in New Jersey
National rank 112 of 187
County College of Morris builds its Exercise Science degree around the department's Exercise Physiology Lab and Fitness Center, with a separate personal trainer certificate and a joint Rutgers pathway to occupational therapy assistant work.
County College of Morris places 3rd of 6 in New Jersey at 71.9, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $9,240 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,620 to $36,636. Its 36% graduation rate sits against a 26% to 56% spread across the 6 New Jersey schools that report one.
It confers 21 associate's degrees a year, 21% of the 98 awarded across New Jersey at this level. Residency is worth $3,780 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $13,020 out-of-state rate.
- Teacher Education track in physical and health education
- Public Health track within the department
- 21 exercise-science degrees conferred yearly
- $13,020 annual out-of-state tuition
- Graduation rate
- 36%
- In-state tuition
- $9,240
- Out-of-state tuition
- $13,020
- Undergrad enrollment
- 6,131
- Degrees conferred
- 21
View County College of Morris' Associate's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.ccm.edu
-
Rank 4: Middlesex College
Health and Exercise Science
Edison, NJ · Public · suburban campus
Our score
4th of 6 in New Jersey
National rank 118 of 187
Middlesex's Health and Exercise Science associate degree is built for students already committed to transferring into a four-year exercise science program rather than stopping at the associate level.
Middlesex College places 4th of 6 in New Jersey at 71.3, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $5,568 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,620 to $36,636.
Its 33% graduation rate sits against a 26% to 56% spread across the 6 New Jersey schools that report one. It confers 12 associate's degrees a year, 12% of the 98 awarded across New Jersey at this level.
- Algebra I placement required for admission
- C or better in a high school lab science required
- Outcomes include personal training and strength and conditioning coaching
- 12 exercise science degrees awarded a year
- Graduation rate
- 33%
- In-state tuition
- $5,568
- Out-of-state tuition
- $5,568
- Undergrad enrollment
- 12,044
- Degrees conferred
- 12
View Middlesex College's Health and Exercise Science www.middlesexcollege.edu
-
Rank 5: Raritan Valley Community College
Associate of Science in Exercise Science
Branchburg, NJ · Public · rural campus
Our score
5th of 6 in New Jersey
National rank 134 of 187
RVCC's Associate of Science in Exercise Science carries a junior-status transfer agreement into TCNJ's Health and Exercise Science program, letting graduates move up to 64 credits even though completion sits at the 30th percentile.
Raritan Valley Community College places 5th of 6 in New Jersey at 68.6, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $6,384 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,620 to $36,636.
Its 31% graduation rate sits against a 26% to 56% spread across the 6 New Jersey schools that report one. It confers 26 associate's degrees a year, 27% of the 98 awarded across New Jersey at this level.
- Graduate pathway into medicine and physical therapy
- Strength and conditioning career outcomes for graduates
- 26 exercise-science degrees conferred a year
- 31% graduation rate
- Graduation rate
- 31%
- In-state tuition
- $6,384
- Out-of-state tuition
- $6,384
- Undergrad enrollment
- 6,762
- Degrees conferred
- 26
View Raritan Valley Community College's Associate of Science in Exercise Science www.raritanval.edu
-
Rank 6: Hudson County Community College
Exercise Science, A.S.
Jersey City, NJ · Public · city campus
Our score
6th of 6 in New Jersey
National rank 163 of 187
Just 26% of Hudson County Community College's exercise science students graduate on time, in the 15th percentile of 187 comparable programs, the main reason its 61.5 trails Mercer County Community College's 61.6.
Hudson County Community College places 6th of 6 in New Jersey at 61.5, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,728 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,620 to $36,636.
Its 26% graduation rate sits against a 26% to 56% spread across the 6 New Jersey schools that report one. It confers 10 associate's degrees a year, 10% of the 98 awarded across New Jersey at this level.
- EMG and blood-lactate measurement lab
- Personal Training Internship elective option
- Guaranteed junior standing at New Jersey City University
- National personal training certificate eligibility
- Graduation rate
- 26%
- In-state tuition
- $7,728
- Out-of-state tuition
- $7,728
- Undergrad enrollment
- 7,763
- Degrees conferred
- 10
View Hudson County Community College's Exercise Science, A.S. www.hccc.edu
Every Associate's in Kinesiology Program in New Jersey 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 | Centenary University | Hackettstown | 56% | 83% | $36,636 | |
| 02 | Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus | Sewell | 39% | $4,620 | | |
| 03 | County College of Morris | Randolph | 36% | $9,240 | | |
| 04 | Middlesex College | Edison | 33% | $5,568 | | |
| 05 | Raritan Valley Community College | Branchburg | 31% | $6,384 | | |
| 06 | Hudson County Community College | Jersey City | 26% | $7,728 | |
A blank cell means the institution did not file that figure with IPEDS.
What Kinesiology Careers Pay in New Jersey
Occupational medians for everyone in the job, not starting pay and not outcomes for any one program.
Exercise Physiologists in New Jersey
- New Jersey median
- $64,680
- vs national
- +$5,220
- Employed in NJ
- 130
- 10th to 90th
- $55,620 – $79,290
Exercise Physiologists in New Jersey earn a median of $64,680, $5,220 above the national median of $59,460, across 130 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $55,620 and the top tenth clear $79,290, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.
Every New Jersey Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage
| Occupation | NJ median | vs national | Jobs in NJ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapists | $112,140 | +$9,380 | 9,750 |
| Occupational Therapists | $103,410 | +$3,080 | 6,290 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $78,440 | +$10,060 | 1,810 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | +$29,380 | 5,670 |
| Athletic Trainers | $76,210 | +$13,690 | 890 |
| Exercise Physiologists | $64,680 | +$5,220 | 130 |
| Recreational Therapists | $60,400 | −$1,560 | 430 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $59,870 | +$12,710 | 11,350 |
Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for New Jersey, Physical Therapists pays the most at $112,140 ($9,380 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 11,350 jobs in the state paying a median of $59,870. 7 of the 8 with a national comparison pay above their national medians here.
Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in New Jersey
This page ranks associate's programs only. New Jersey 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 New Jersey’s own BLS medians where published.
- Physical Therapist$112,140 median in New Jersey · needs doctoral degree
- Occupational Therapist$103,410 median in New Jersey · needs master's degree
- Physical Therapist Assistant$78,440 median in New Jersey · reachable at this level
- Coach or Scout$76,700 median in New Jersey · needs bachelor's degree
- Athletic Trainer$76,210 median in New Jersey · needs master's degree
- Exercise Physiologist$64,680 median in New Jersey · needs bachelor's degree
- Recreational Therapist$60,400 median in New Jersey · needs bachelor's degree
- Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$59,870 median in New Jersey · reachable at this level
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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey
The same ranking, filtered to one state at a time. The number is how many programs that state ranks.