Best Kinesiology Bachelor's Programs in California

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

All 12 Bachelor'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.

1. 01

   Rank 1: Pepperdine University

   Sports Medicine Major

   Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

   Our score

   91.2

   1st of 12 in California

   National rank 23 of 568

   An 83% graduation rate in the 96th percentile among 568 scored bachelor's programs drives our score for Pepperdine to 91.2, within 1.6 points of University of Southern California's 92.8.

   Pepperdine University leads California at 91.2, ahead of the other 11 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $69,130 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 83% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 63% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 49 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 557 awarded across California at this level. Nationally it is 23rd of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.

   • 63% admit rate
   • 3,553 undergraduate enrollment
   • 49 degrees conferred yearly

   Graduation rate

   83%

   Admit rate

   63%

   In-state tuition

   $69,130

   Out-of-state tuition

   $69,130

   Cost of attendance

   $95,168

   Undergrad enrollment

   3,553

   Degrees conferred

   49

   View Pepperdine University's Sports Medicine Major www.pepperdine.edu

2. 02

   Rank 2: University of San Francisco

   Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

   San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   89

   2nd of 12 in California

   National rank 35 of 568

   Selectivity does the separating for University of San Francisco: a 62% admit rate splits the gap between Occidental College's 88.6 and Pepperdine's 91.2, landing our score at 89.

   University of San Francisco places 2nd of 12 in California at 89, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $59,950 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 70% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 62% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 42 bachelor's degrees a year, 8% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

   • 5,321 undergraduate enrollment
   • 42 degrees conferred yearly
   • $59,950 tuition

   Graduation rate

   70%

   Admit rate

   62%

   In-state tuition

   $59,950

   Out-of-state tuition

   $59,950

   Cost of attendance

   $84,784

   Undergrad enrollment

   5,321

   Degrees conferred

   42

   View University of San Francisco's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.usfca.edu

3. 03

   Rank 3: Occidental College

   Kinesiology

   Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   88.6

   3rd of 12 in California

   National rank 38 of 568

   Only ten students a year graduate from Occidental's Kinesiology major, yet an 81% graduation rate anchors its 88.6 score anyway.

   Occidental College places 3rd of 12 in California at 88.6, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $65,678 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 81% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 44% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 10 bachelor's degrees a year, 2% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

   • Oxy Kinesiology Research Group (Oxy KRG)
   • Biomechanical, physiological, motor-behavior focus
   • All-undergraduate liberal arts college
   • About 10 kinesiology graduates a year

   Graduation rate

   81%

   Admit rate

   44%

   In-state tuition

   $65,678

   Out-of-state tuition

   $65,678

   Cost of attendance

   $88,656

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,881

   Degrees conferred

   10

   View Occidental College's Kinesiology www.oxy.edu

4. 04

   Rank 4: Biola University

   B.S. in Kinesiology

   La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

   Our score

   83.5

   4th of 12 in California

   National rank 84 of 568

   A 68% graduation rate, the 79th percentile among 568 comparable programs, is the single figure carrying Biola's kinesiology degree past a 73.3 median score.

   Biola University places 4th of 12 in California at 83.5, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $48,984 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 68% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 74% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 21 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

   • Health and Exercise Science concentration
   • Strength and Conditioning concentration
   • 30 credits of Bible and theology coursework
   • Biola Office of Health Professions Advising

   Graduation rate

   68%

   Admit rate

   74%

   In-state tuition

   $48,984

   Out-of-state tuition

   $48,984

   Cost of attendance

   $67,442

   Undergrad enrollment

   3,481

   Degrees conferred

   21

   View Biola University's B.S. in Kinesiology www.biola.edu

5. 05

   Rank 5: California Lutheran University

   Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

   Thousand Oaks, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   83

   5th of 12 in California

   National rank 95 of 568

   Students planning a senior capstone built around 3D force-plate and motion-capture data, not just coursework, should shortlist Cal Lutheran's exercise science major.

   California Lutheran University places 5th of 12 in California at 83, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $51,750 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 70% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 76% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 39 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

   • Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology teaching labs
   • Health Professions and Human Performance emphases
   • Research internships at biotech firms
   • Bod Pod and Ultrasound lab equipment

   Graduation rate

   70%

   Admit rate

   76%

   In-state tuition

   $51,750

   Out-of-state tuition

   $51,750

   Cost of attendance

   $74,816

   Undergrad enrollment

   2,297

   Degrees conferred

   39

   View California Lutheran University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.callutheran.edu

6. 06

   Rank 6: Westmont College

   Kinesiology

   Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

   Our score

   82.8

   6th of 12 in California

   National rank 97 of 568

   Westmont trades scale, its total enrollment sits in the 18th percentile among comparable kinesiology programs, for two distinct B.S. tracks, Movement and Exercise Science or Movement and the Medical Sciences.

   Westmont College places 6th of 12 in California at 82.8, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $52,320 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 70% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 77% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 43 bachelor's degrees a year, 8% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

   • B.S. with Teaching Credential option
   • Senior capstone research project required
   • Community internships with orthopedic surgeons and physicians
   • Kinesiology study-abroad Mayterm programs

   Graduation rate

   70%

   Admit rate

   77%

   In-state tuition

   $52,320

   Out-of-state tuition

   $52,320

   Cost of attendance

   $73,544

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,302

   Degrees conferred

   43

   View Westmont College's Kinesiology www.westmont.edu

7. 07

   Rank 7: Point Loma Nazarene University

   Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

   San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   82.7

   7th of 12 in California

   National rank 99 of 568

   Where Point Loma pulls ahead of Westmont College's 82.8 and Concordia University-Irvine's 80.5 is graduation rate: 77%, the 93rd percentile among peers, despite an 84% admit rate in the 40th percentile for selectivity.

   Point Loma Nazarene University places 7th of 12 in California at 82.7, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $45,300 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 77% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 84% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 27 bachelor's degrees a year, 5% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

   • San Diego Padres Biomechanics Lab
   • On-campus Athletic Training Clinic
   • 3+2 Health Science / M.S. Athletic Training track
   • NSCA, ACSM, and CAATE affiliations

   Graduation rate

   77%

   Admit rate

   84%

   In-state tuition

   $45,300

   Out-of-state tuition

   $45,300

   Cost of attendance

   $65,410

   Undergrad enrollment

   3,246

   Degrees conferred

   27

   View Point Loma Nazarene University's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.pointloma.edu

8. 08

   Rank 8: Concordia University-Irvine

   Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

   Irvine, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   80.5

   8th of 12 in California

   National rank 137 of 568

   Concordia University Irvine admits at a 66% rate, tougher than most peers, but its 58% graduation rate sits just above the median, so selectivity carries more of this score than completion.

   Concordia University-Irvine places 8th of 12 in California at 80.5, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $42,500 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 58% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 66% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 40 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

   • Three concentrations: Fitness and Wellness, Human Performance, Allied Health
   • 126-hour semester-long practicum requirement
   • Two dedicated Kinesiology labs for biomechanics and motor control
   • Direct pathway to Concordia's own graduate coaching and exercise science programs

   Graduation rate

   58%

   Admit rate

   66%

   In-state tuition

   $42,500

   Out-of-state tuition

   $42,500

   Cost of attendance

   $63,340

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,544

   Degrees conferred

   40

   View Concordia University-Irvine's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology www.cui.edu

9. 09

   Rank 9: Vanguard University of Southern California

   Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

   Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   80.5

   9th of 12 in California

   National rank 138 of 568

   A 62% admit rate lands Vanguard University in the 86th percentile for selectivity among the 568 bachelor's programs at this level, the single biggest input behind its score.

   Vanguard University of Southern California places 9th of 12 in California at 80.5, with 8 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $40,800 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 57% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

   It admits 62% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 59 bachelor's degrees a year, 11% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

   • Two concentrations: Health and Human Performance, Pre-Health Professions
   • Faculty-mentored research presented at a student symposium
   • Minors offered in Kinesiology and Coaching
   • 59 degrees conferred per year in this field

   Graduation rate

   57%

   Admit rate

   62%

   In-state tuition

   $40,800

   Out-of-state tuition

   $40,800

   Cost of attendance

   $60,445

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,960

   Degrees conferred

   59

   View Vanguard University of Southern California's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology www.vanguard.edu

10. 10

    Rank 10: Dominican University of California

    Kinesiology BA/BS

    San Rafael, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus

    Our score

    79

    10th of 12 in California

    National rank 165 of 568

    Dominican's Kinesiology BA/BS track lets qualified students start the university's Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in their senior year and finish both degrees in six years.

    Dominican University of California places 10th of 12 in California at 79, with 9 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $51,316 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 78% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

    It admits 83% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 4 bachelor's degrees a year, 1% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

    • BA and BS tracks by career goal
    • Accelerated MS in Occupational Therapy in 5.5 years
    • General and Applied Kinesiology minors
    • Accelerated MA in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology

    Graduation rate

    78%

    Admit rate

    83%

    In-state tuition

    $51,316

    Out-of-state tuition

    $51,316

    Cost of attendance

    $72,626

    Undergrad enrollment

    1,114

    Degrees conferred

    4

    View Dominican University of California's Kinesiology BA/BS www.dominican.edu

11. 11

    Rank 11: California Baptist University

    Exercise Science, B.S.

    Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus

    Our score

    78.2

    11th of 12 in California

    National rank 177 of 568

    CBU's Exercise Science, B.S. requires 70 to 72 units including KIN 450 Electrocardiography, which prepares majors for the NHA Certified ECG Technician exam, inside a lab built around a six-person treadmill.

    California Baptist University places 11th of 12 in California at 78.2, with 10 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $39,078 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 62% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one.

    It admits 85% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 131 bachelor's degrees a year, 24% of the 557 awarded across California at this level.

    • Faculty-led undergraduate research opportunities
    • Overseas placements through Global Health Engagement
    • Equipment measuring oxygen, cardiac output, muscle function
    • $39,078 annual tuition
    • 131 degrees conferred yearly

    Graduation rate

    62%

    Admit rate

    85%

    In-state tuition

    $39,078

    Out-of-state tuition

    $39,078

    Cost of attendance

    $58,878

    Undergrad enrollment

    8,417

    Degrees conferred

    131

    View California Baptist University's Exercise Science, B.S. www.calbaptist.edu

12. 12

    Rank 12: California State University-Chico

    Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

    Chico, CA · Public · city campus

    Our score

    77.5

    12th of 12 in California

    National rank 188 of 568

    Chico State's Kinesiology BS suits a candidate choosing between a Fitness and Wellness option and a K-12 Physical Education Teacher Education option that leads to a California teaching credential.

    California State University-Chico places 12th of 12 in California at 77.5, with 11 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $6,084 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $69,130. Its 63% graduation rate sits against a 57% to 83% spread across the 12 California schools that report one. It is the only public option among them, which is where the in-state rate above comes from.

    It admits 93% of applicants, against 44% to 93% across California. It confers 92 bachelor's degrees a year, 17% of the 557 awarded across California at this level. Residency is worth $12,600 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $18,684 out-of-state rate.

    • Writing-intensive sport psychology requirement
    • Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization
    • Required CPR and first aid certification
    • $6,084 in-state tuition
    • 92 degrees conferred yearly

    Graduation rate

    63%

    Admit rate

    93%

    In-state tuition

    $6,084

    Out-of-state tuition

    $18,684

    Cost of attendance

    $29,088

    Undergrad enrollment

    13,792

    Degrees conferred

    92

    View California State University-Chico's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology www.csuchico.edu

Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in California Compared

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

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

Every California Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in California

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

• Associate's Associate's in Kinesiology in California 12 programs ranked
• Master's Master's in Kinesiology in California 5 programs ranked

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 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 · reachable at this level
• 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 · reachable at this level
• Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$57,990 median in California · reachable at this level
• Coach or Scout$47,660 median in California · 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 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

• U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS)
• BLS OOH: Exercise Physiologists
• BLS OEWS May 2025 (SOC 29-1128)
• CAAHEP / CoAES accredited exercise science programs

Bachelor'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.

• Alaska 1
• Arizona 3
• Colorado 10
• Hawaii 1
• Idaho 1
• Montana 4