8 Best Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Alabama

Programs ranked: 8
In-state tuition: $9,100 to $25,320
Avg graduation rate: 54%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Alabama Cost and Who Gets In

We scored all 568 bachelor's programs in exercise science and kinesiology (CIP 31.0505) on the same weighted model, then pulled the 8 highest scoring in Alabama. The University of Alabama leads the state with a score of 90.1, which is national rank 31 out of 568. None of the 8 crack the national top 25, so read the scores below rather than assuming a national reputation.

In-state tuition runs from $9,100 to $25,320 across the 8 programs with a published rate. The 7 schools with a published graduation rate average 54%. Average admit rate across the 8 schools publishing one is 68%. Together they conferred 370 bachelor's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

5 of the 8 are public institutions and 3 are private. One is flagged as offering an online option.

All 8 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Alabama, 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: The University of Alabama

Kinesiology, BS

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · city campus

Our score

1st of 8 in Alabama

National rank 31 of 568

Alabama's Kinesiology BS admits three in four applicants but pairs that open admission with a required internship and an Accelerated Master's option that saves a year for exercise-science concentrators headed to graduate school.

The University of Alabama leads Alabama at 90.1, ahead of the other 7 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $11,380 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $9,100 to $25,320. Its 73% graduation rate sits against a 35% to 73% spread across the 7 Alabama schools that report one. It admits 77% of applicants, against 43% to 87% across Alabama.
It confers 226 bachelor's degrees a year, 61% of the 370 awarded across Alabama at this level. Residency is worth $21,992 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $33,372 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 31st of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.
- Two concentrations: Exercise Science, Physical Education
- Accelerated Master's Program to MA in Kinesiology
- Required Internship in Kinesiology course
- 38-hour approved elective list
Graduation rate

73%

Admit rate

77%

In-state tuition

$11,380

Out-of-state tuition

$33,372

Cost of attendance

$33,924

Undergrad enrollment

34,389

Degrees conferred

226

View University of Alabama's Kinesiology, BS www.ua.edu
Rank 2: University of Alabama in Huntsville

Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Huntsville, AL · Public · city campus

Our score

2nd of 8 in Alabama

National rank 46 of 568

UAH's exercise science major lives inside a Kinesiology department that also runs physical education, recreation and sport management majors, trading specialization for breadth at a fraction of private-school tuition.

University of Alabama in Huntsville places 2nd of 8 in Alabama at 87.1, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $10,374 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $9,100 to $25,320. Its 64% graduation rate sits against a 35% to 73% spread across the 7 Alabama schools that report one.
It admits 69% of applicants, against 43% to 87% across Alabama. It confers 32 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 370 awarded across Alabama at this level. Residency is worth $14,276 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $24,650 out-of-state rate.
- Graduates placed with Huntsville Parks and Rec
- Minors in coaching and nutrition
- 10,374 dollar in-state tuition
- 69% admission rate
Graduation rate

64%

Admit rate

69%

In-state tuition

$10,374

Out-of-state tuition

$24,650

Cost of attendance

$32,089

Undergrad enrollment

6,800

Degrees conferred

32

View University of Alabama in Huntsville's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.uah.edu
Rank 3: University of Montevallo

Exercise and Nutrition Science (EXNS)

Montevallo, AL · Public · town campus

Our score

3rd of 8 in Alabama

National rank 109 of 568

Students aiming at a Registered Dietitian license in Alabama or a CASCE-accredited strength and conditioning credential should look hard at Montevallo's Exercise and Nutrition Science program.

University of Montevallo places 3rd of 8 in Alabama at 82, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $12,090 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $9,100 to $25,320. Its 54% graduation rate sits against a 35% to 73% spread across the 7 Alabama schools that report one.
It admits 54% of applicants, against 43% to 87% across Alabama. It confers 36 bachelor's degrees a year, 10% of the 370 awarded across Alabama at this level. Residency is worth $13,020 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $25,110 out-of-state rate.
- Four concentrations within one degree
- EXNS Human Performance Lab access
- Allied Health internship in clinical settings
- $12,090 in-state annual tuition
Graduation rate

54%

Admit rate

54%

In-state tuition

$12,090

Out-of-state tuition

$25,110

Cost of attendance

$29,520

Undergrad enrollment

2,642

Degrees conferred

36

View University of Montevallo's Exercise and Nutrition Science (EXNS) www.montevallo.edu
Rank 4: United States Sports University

B.S.S. in Exercise Science

Daphne, AL · Private nonprofit · city campus · online option

Our score

4th of 8 in Alabama

National rank 199 of 568

United States Sports University suits a student chasing a certification pathway more than a traditional campus, since its exercise science coursework is built to prepare graduates for ACSM and NSCA certification exams.

United States Sports University places 4th of 8 in Alabama at 77.1, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $20,700 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $9,100 to $25,320. It is also the only one here flagged in IPEDS as offering an online option.
It admits 61% of applicants, against 43% to 87% across Alabama. It confers 4 bachelor's degrees a year, 1% of the 370 awarded across Alabama at this level.
- Allied Health track adds PT and OT prerequisite courses
- Offered both in person and online
- Flat $20,700 tuition for residents and nonresidents
- About 4 exercise science degrees awarded a year
Admit rate

61%

In-state tuition

$20,700

Out-of-state tuition

$20,700

Undergrad enrollment

234

Degrees conferred

4

View United States Sports University's B.S.S. in Exercise Science www.ussa.edu
Rank 5: University of North Alabama

B.S. in Exercise Science

Florence, AL · Public · city campus

Our score

5th of 8 in Alabama

National rank 251 of 568

University of North Alabama fits a student who hasn't settled on clinical, performance or pre-professional exercise science yet, since the major routes into a concentration only after a shared core sequence.

University of North Alabama places 5th of 8 in Alabama at 74.6, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $10,200 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $9,100 to $25,320. Its 55% graduation rate sits against a 35% to 73% spread across the 7 Alabama schools that report one.
It admits 87% of applicants, against 43% to 87% across Alabama. It confers 41 bachelor's degrees a year, 11% of the 370 awarded across Alabama at this level. Residency is worth $10,200 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,400 out-of-state rate.
- Three concentration tracks
- 120 credit hours required
- Required internship, senior portfolio
- Individual faculty advising
- 41 degrees conferred yearly
Graduation rate

55%

Admit rate

87%

In-state tuition

$10,200

Out-of-state tuition

$20,400

Cost of attendance

$28,880

Undergrad enrollment

7,662

Degrees conferred

41

View University of North Alabama's B.S. in Exercise Science www.una.edu
Rank 6: University of Mobile

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Mobile, AL · Private nonprofit · rural campus

Our score

6th of 8 in Alabama

National rank 259 of 568

University of Mobile requires a KIN 405 internship of every exercise science major, on top of coursework in kinesiology and correctives, sports psychology, and motor development.

University of Mobile places 6th of 8 in Alabama at 74.4, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $25,320 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $9,100 to $25,320. Its 57% graduation rate sits against a 35% to 73% spread across the 7 Alabama schools that report one.
It admits 78% of applicants, against 43% to 87% across Alabama. It confers 25 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 370 awarded across Alabama at this level.
- Certification exam prep built into the curriculum
- Pre-professional tracks in athletic training, OT, and PT
- Health and Sports Science lab, exercise testing
- $25,320 flat tuition, in state or out
Graduation rate

57%

Admit rate

78%

In-state tuition

$25,320

Out-of-state tuition

$25,320

Cost of attendance

$44,788

Undergrad enrollment

1,308

Degrees conferred

25

View University of Mobile's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.umobile.edu
Rank 7: University of West Alabama

Exercise Science Comprehensive (B.S./B.A.)

Livingston, AL · Public · rural campus

Our score

7th of 8 in Alabama

National rank 349 of 568

A 35% graduation rate, a percentile of 8.3 among 568 comparable programs, holds back our score for West Alabama's Exercise Science Comprehensive, despite a 43% admit rate more selective than 95% of the group.

University of West Alabama places 7th of 8 in Alabama at 70.9, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $9,100 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $9,100 to $25,320. Its 35% graduation rate sits against a 35% to 73% spread across the 7 Alabama schools that report one.
It admits 43% of applicants, against 43% to 87% across Alabama. It confers 4 bachelor's degrees a year, 1% of the 370 awarded across Alabama at this level. Residency is worth $9,100 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $18,200 out-of-state rate.
- Eight pre-professional concentrations, from Pre-Chiropractic to Pre-Optometry
- Strength and Conditioning track preps for CSCS
- Hands-on VO2 max and body composition labs
- Also offered as a minor
- 4 degrees conferred a year
Graduation rate

35%

Admit rate

43%

In-state tuition

$9,100

Out-of-state tuition

$18,200

Cost of attendance

$24,026

Undergrad enrollment

2,983

Degrees conferred

4

View University of West Alabama's Exercise Science Comprehensive (B.S./B.A.) www.uwa.edu
Rank 8: Faulkner University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Montgomery, AL · Private nonprofit · city campus

Our score

8th of 8 in Alabama

National rank 436 of 568

Applicants drawn to a faith-centered campus and a required externship in the 120-credit-hour B.S. curriculum should shortlist Faulkner over programs chasing higher selectivity alone.

Faulkner University places 8th of 8 in Alabama at 67.9, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $21,930 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $9,100 to $25,320. Its 37% graduation rate sits against a 35% to 73% spread across the 7 Alabama schools that report one.
It admits 73% of applicants, against 43% to 87% across Alabama. It confers 2 bachelor's degrees a year, 1% of the 370 awarded across Alabama at this level.
- 120 credit-hour minimum for the B.S.
- Offered across four Alabama campuses
- $12,300 per semester block-rate tuition
- ACT/SAT waived for transfers with 24+ hours
Graduation rate

37%

Admit rate

73%

In-state tuition

$21,930

Out-of-state tuition

$21,930

Cost of attendance

$38,670

Undergrad enrollment

1,758

Degrees conferred

2

View Faulkner University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.faulkner.edu

Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in Alabama Compared

The same scores in one readout. Tuition is the published in-state rate before aid.

#	School	City	Grad rate	Admit rate	In-state
01	The University of Alabama	Tuscaloosa	73%	77%	$11,380
02	University of Alabama in Huntsville	Huntsville	64%	69%	$10,374
03	University of Montevallo	Montevallo	54%	54%	$12,090
04	United States Sports University	Daphne		61%	$20,700
05	University of North Alabama	Florence	55%	87%	$10,200
06	University of Mobile	Mobile	57%	78%	$25,320
07	University of West Alabama	Livingston	35%	43%	$9,100
08	Faulkner University	Montgomery	37%	73%	$21,930

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Alabama

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

Exercise Physiologists in Alabama

Alabama median: $50,820
vs national: −$8,640
Employed in AL: 70
10th to 90th: $40,540 – $76,910

Exercise Physiologists in Alabama earn a median of $50,820, $8,640 below the national median of $59,460, across 70 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $40,540 and the top tenth clear $76,910, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Alabama Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	AL median	vs national	Jobs in AL
Physical Therapists	$97,290	−$5,470	3,040
Occupational Therapists	$94,050	−$6,280	1,500
Physical Therapist Assistants	$61,430	−$6,950	2,700
Recreational Therapists	$57,360	−$4,600	160
Exercise Physiologists	$50,820	−$8,640	70
Athletic Trainers	$46,940	−$15,580	840
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$39,180	−$7,980	2,680

Of the 7 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Alabama, Physical Therapists pays the most at $97,290 ($5,470 below its national median). It is also the largest of the 7 by employment, at 3,040 jobs in the state. None of the 7 with a national comparison pays above its national median here, which is the single most useful thing to know before committing to staying in Alabama.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in Alabama

This page ranks bachelor's programs only. Alabama reports programs at other levels too, and each level is compared only with programs at that same level.

What Careers Can You Get With a Bachelor's in Kinesiology?

These 5 occupations list this credential, or less, as their typical entry requirement. The other 3 need further study, and each page says what. Figures are Alabama’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 Alabama, 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

Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs Near Alabama

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

Best Kinesiology Bachelor's Programs in Alabama

What Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Alabama Cost and Who Gets In

All 8 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Alabama, Ranked (2026)

Rank 1: The University of Alabama

Rank 2: University of Alabama in Huntsville

Rank 3: University of Montevallo

Rank 4: United States Sports University

Rank 5: University of North Alabama

Rank 6: University of Mobile

Rank 7: University of West Alabama

Rank 8: Faulkner University