10 Best Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Colorado

Programs ranked: 10
In-state tuition: $6,120 to $27,631
Avg graduation rate: 48%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Colorado 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 10 highest scoring in Colorado. Colorado State University-Fort Collins leads the state with a score of 81.2, which is national rank 126 out of 568. None of the 10 crack the national top 25, so read the scores below rather than assuming a national reputation.

In-state tuition runs from $6,120 to $27,631 across the 10 programs with a published rate. The 10 schools with a published graduation rate average 48%. Average admit rate across the 8 schools publishing one is 89%. Together they conferred 558 bachelor's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

8 of the 10 are public institutions and 2 are private. None carry an online flag in IPEDS, so plan on attending in person.

All 10 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Colorado, 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: Colorado State University-Fort Collins

B.S. in Health and Exercise Science

Fort Collins, CO · Public · city campus

Our score

1st of 10 in Colorado

National rank 126 of 568

A 67% graduation rate, twelve points above the field's median for the level, is the strongest input behind Colorado State's 81.2 score in Health and Exercise Science.

Colorado State University-Fort Collins leads Colorado at 81.2, ahead of the other 9 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $10,610 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 67% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one. It admits 89% of applicants, against 77% to 100% across Colorado.
It confers 198 bachelor's degrees a year, 35% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level. Residency is worth $21,688 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $32,298 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 126th of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.
- Health Promotion concentration
- Exercise Science concentration
- Joint M.S. with Colorado School of Public Health
- 198 degrees conferred a year
Graduation rate

67%

Admit rate

89%

In-state tuition

$10,610

Out-of-state tuition

$32,298

Cost of attendance

$34,684

Undergrad enrollment

26,221

Degrees conferred

198

View Colorado State University-Fort Collins' B.S. in Health and Exercise Science colostate.edu
Rank 2: Colorado Christian University

Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science

Lakewood, CO · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

Our score

2nd of 10 in Colorado

National rank 143 of 568

Just a point separates Colorado Christian's 80.4 from Colorado State University-Fort Collins's 81.2, and it clears Regis University's 74.7 by six, mostly on a graduation rate nine points above the median for the level.

Colorado Christian University places 2nd of 10 in Colorado at 80.4, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $27,631 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631.
Its 64% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one. It confers 13 bachelor's degrees a year, 2% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level.
- Housed in the School of Science and Engineering
- Sample courses include Therapeutic Exercise and Rehabilitation
- Kinesiology minor also offered
- 13 degrees conferred per year
Graduation rate

64%

In-state tuition

$27,631

Out-of-state tuition

$27,631

Cost of attendance

$57,322

Undergrad enrollment

8,200

Degrees conferred

13

View Colorado Christian University's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science www.ccu.edu
Rank 3: Regis University

Health and Exercise Science, B.S.

Denver, CO · Private nonprofit · city campus

Our score

3rd of 10 in Colorado

National rank 246 of 568

Regis pairs its Health and Exercise Science major with a 3+3 pathway straight into its own Doctor of Physical Therapy program, letting students start graduate coursework a year early.

Regis University places 3rd of 10 in Colorado at 74.7, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $23,700 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 61% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one.
It admits 86% of applicants, against 77% to 100% across Colorado. It confers 21 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level.
- Regis-Creighton 3-year track into an Occupational Therapy doctorate
- 100% reported pass rate on the ACSM Certified Personal Trainer exam
- 16-week on-campus semester format
- 93% of grads reported in grad school or working within a year
Graduation rate

61%

Admit rate

86%

In-state tuition

$23,700

Out-of-state tuition

$23,700

Cost of attendance

$65,874

Undergrad enrollment

2,689

Degrees conferred

21

View Regis University's Health and Exercise Science, B.S. www.regis.edu
Rank 4: University of Northern Colorado

Kinesiology, B.S.

Greeley, CO · Public · city campus

Our score

4th of 10 in Colorado

National rank 316 of 568

UNC trades a below median 51% graduation rate for broad access, an 86% admit rate, and a choice of three concentrations, Exercise Science, Human Performance, or Physical Education K-12 licensure.

University of Northern Colorado places 4th of 10 in Colorado at 72.1, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $9,047 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 51% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one.
It admits 86% of applicants, against 77% to 100% across Colorado. It confers 72 bachelor's degrees a year, 13% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level. Residency is worth $15,078 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $24,125 out-of-state rate.
- Required internship at Cancer Rehabilitation Institute
- Recently renamed to Kinesiology B.S.
- Sport Coaching minor available
- 120 total credits
Graduation rate

51%

Admit rate

86%

In-state tuition

$9,047

Out-of-state tuition

$24,125

Cost of attendance

$33,480

Undergrad enrollment

6,480

Degrees conferred

72

View University of Northern Colorado's Kinesiology, B.S. www.unco.edu
Rank 5: Fort Lewis College

Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Durango, CO · Public · town campus

Our score

5th of 10 in Colorado

National rank 379 of 568

Fort Lewis trades a 36% graduation rate, in the bottom tenth of bachelor's kinesiology programs, for in-state tuition of $7,776 a year and hands-on clinical training that starts earlier than at many peer schools.

Fort Lewis College places 5th of 10 in Colorado at 70.1, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,776 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 36% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one.
It admits 77% of applicants, against 77% to 100% across Colorado. It confers 26 bachelor's degrees a year, 5% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level. Residency is worth $11,568 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $19,344 out-of-state rate.
- Exercise Physiology major track offered
- Sport Administration major offered
- Coaching minor available
- Personal trainer role in the Student Life Center
Graduation rate

36%

Admit rate

77%

In-state tuition

$7,776

Out-of-state tuition

$19,344

Cost of attendance

$29,068

Undergrad enrollment

3,392

Degrees conferred

26

View Fort Lewis College's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology fortlewis.edu
Rank 6: Western Colorado University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sport Science

Gunnison, CO · Public · town campus

Our score

6th of 10 in Colorado

National rank 380 of 568

Open admission, a 100% acceptance rate at the very bottom of the field at this level's selectivity range, does more to shape Western Colorado University's score than any other single input.

Western Colorado University places 6th of 10 in Colorado at 70.1, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,308 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 50% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one.
It admits 100% of applicants, against 77% to 100% across Colorado. It confers 31 bachelor's degrees a year, 6% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level. Residency is worth $13,116 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,424 out-of-state rate.
- High Altitude Performance Lab at 7,703 feet elevation
- Clinical partnership with Gunnison Valley medical community
- Major must be paired with a minor
- Networking with Applied Exercise Science and Performance graduate students
Graduation rate

50%

Admit rate

100%

In-state tuition

$7,308

Out-of-state tuition

$20,424

Cost of attendance

$26,722

Undergrad enrollment

3,148

Degrees conferred

31

View Western Colorado University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Sport Science www.western.edu
Rank 7: Colorado Mesa University

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Grand Junction, CO · Public · city campus

Our score

7th of 10 in Colorado

National rank 388 of 568

A 41% graduation rate, at just the 15th percentile among comparable bachelor's programs, is the single number that most explains Colorado Mesa's Exercise Science score.

Colorado Mesa University places 7th of 10 in Colorado at 69.8, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,807 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 41% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one.
It admits 82% of applicants, against 77% to 100% across Colorado. It confers 89 bachelor's degrees a year, 16% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level. Residency is worth $15,197 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $24,004 out-of-state rate.
- Fast track option for athletic training
- Courses in biomechanics and sports nutrition
- 89 exercise science degrees conferred yearly
- $8,807 in-state tuition
Graduation rate

41%

Admit rate

82%

In-state tuition

$8,807

Out-of-state tuition

$24,004

Cost of attendance

$27,230

Undergrad enrollment

9,473

Degrees conferred

89

View Colorado Mesa University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.coloradomesa.edu
Rank 8: Adams State University

B.S./B.A. in Kinesiology

Alamosa, CO · Public · town campus

Our score

8th of 10 in Colorado

National rank 465 of 568

A five-year combined B.S. and M.S. track lets Adams State's Exercise Science majors leave with a master's already earned, best suited to an in-state student at the $6,120 tuition rate.

Adams State University places 8th of 10 in Colorado at 66.3, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $6,120 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 39% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one.
It confers 27 bachelor's degrees a year, 5% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level. Residency is worth $12,120 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $18,240 out-of-state rate.
- Three areas of degree emphasis
- Strength, Biomechanics, and Human Performance labs
- Minors in Coaching and Fitness Management
- 27 kinesiology degrees conferred yearly
Graduation rate

39%

In-state tuition

$6,120

Out-of-state tuition

$18,240

Cost of attendance

$26,354

Undergrad enrollment

1,605

Degrees conferred

27

View ASU's B.S./B.A. in Kinesiology www.adams.edu
Rank 9: Colorado State University Pueblo

Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Recreation, B.S.

Pueblo, CO · Public · city campus

Our score

9th of 10 in Colorado

National rank 500 of 568

CSU Pueblo's exercise science concentrations come with a 32-element outdoor challenge course and an indoor climbing wall, though only 40% of students who start there graduate, well under the 55% field median.

Colorado State University Pueblo places 9th of 10 in Colorado at 63.7, with 8 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,076 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 40% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one.
It admits 95% of applicants, against 77% to 100% across Colorado. It confers 25 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level. Residency is worth $8,224 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $15,300 out-of-state rate.
- Wilderness Education Association accreditation
- Four concentrations including Strength and Conditioning
- Exercise physiology and athletic training labs
- New student recreation center
Graduation rate

40%

Admit rate

95%

In-state tuition

$7,076

Out-of-state tuition

$15,300

Cost of attendance

$26,574

Undergrad enrollment

5,086

Degrees conferred

25

View Colorado State University Pueblo's Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Recreation, B.S. www.csupueblo.edu
Rank 10: Metropolitan State University of Denver

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Denver, CO · Public · city campus

Our score

10th of 10 in Colorado

National rank 529 of 568

MSU Denver's Exercise Science major builds toward certifications like the CSCS but explicitly excludes preparation for the Athletic Training licensure exam, a tradeoff worth weighing against its near open 99% admit rate.

Metropolitan State University of Denver places 10th of 10 in Colorado at 61.8, with 9 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $9,135 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,120 to $27,631. Its 32% graduation rate sits against a 32% to 67% spread across the 10 Colorado schools that report one.
It admits 99% of applicants, against 77% to 100% across Colorado. It confers 56 bachelor's degrees a year, 10% of the 558 awarded across Colorado at this level. Residency is worth $19,560 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $28,695 out-of-state rate.
- CAAHEP-accredited exercise science program
- Exercise is Medicine-On Campus initiative
- 10-credit senior internship requires a 2.75 GPA
- 56 exercise science degrees conferred a year
Graduation rate

32%

Admit rate

99%

In-state tuition

$9,135

Out-of-state tuition

$28,695

Undergrad enrollment

17,274

Degrees conferred

56

View Metropolitan State University of Denver's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.msudenver.edu

Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in Colorado 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	Colorado State University-Fort Collins	Fort Collins	67%	89%	$10,610
02	Colorado Christian University	Lakewood	64%		$27,631
03	Regis University	Denver	61%	86%	$23,700
04	University of Northern Colorado	Greeley	51%	86%	$9,047
05	Fort Lewis College	Durango	36%	77%	$7,776
06	Western Colorado University	Gunnison	50%	100%	$7,308
07	Colorado Mesa University	Grand Junction	41%	82%	$8,807
08	Adams State University	Alamosa	39%		$6,120
09	Colorado State University Pueblo	Pueblo	40%	95%	$7,076
10	Metropolitan State University of Denver	Denver	32%	99%	$9,135

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Colorado

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

Exercise Physiologists in Colorado

Colorado median: $63,800
vs national: +$4,340
Employed in CO: 370
10th to 90th: $45,210 – $75,350

Exercise Physiologists in Colorado earn a median of $63,800, $4,340 above the national median of $59,460, across 370 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $45,210 and the top tenth clear $75,350, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Colorado Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	CO median	vs national	Jobs in CO
Occupational Therapists	$106,720	+$6,390	3,390
Physical Therapists	$102,030	−$730	5,630
Recreational Therapists	$66,580	+$4,620	200
Physical Therapist Assistants	$64,810	−$3,570	1,350
Athletic Trainers	$64,580	+$2,060	380
Exercise Physiologists	$63,800	+$4,340	370
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$49,900	+$2,740	10,500
Coaches and Scouts	$47,110	−$210	4,120

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Colorado, Occupational Therapists pays the most at $106,720 ($6,390 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 10,500 jobs in the state paying a median of $49,900. 5 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 Colorado

This page ranks bachelor's programs only. Colorado 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 Colorado’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 Colorado, 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 Colorado

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 Colorado

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

All 10 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Colorado, Ranked (2026)

Rank 1: Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Rank 2: Colorado Christian University

Rank 3: Regis University

Rank 4: University of Northern Colorado

Rank 5: Fort Lewis College

Rank 6: Western Colorado University

Rank 7: Colorado Mesa University

Rank 8: Adams State University

Rank 9: Colorado State University Pueblo

Rank 10: Metropolitan State University of Denver