Best Kinesiology Bachelor's Programs in Iowa

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

All 12 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Iowa, 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: Drake University

   Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

   Des Moines, IA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   85.1

   1st of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 68 of 568

   Drake's 85.1 sits within two points of University of Iowa's 86.8 and Iowa State's 84.9, but its Kinesiology major runs through the STEM@Drake Complex, shared with two dozen science disciplines.

   Drake University leads Iowa at 85.1, ahead of the other 11 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $51,444 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 74% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 64% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 8 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level. Nationally it is 68th of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.

   • Presents research at the DUCURS conference
   • 59 to 63 credits in the major
   • Pre-professional guides align with PT prerequisites
   • Only 8 degrees conferred a year

   Graduation rate

   74%

   Admit rate

   64%

   In-state tuition

   $51,444

   Out-of-state tuition

   $51,444

   Cost of attendance

   $68,242

   Undergrad enrollment

   2,585

   Degrees conferred

   8

   View Drake University's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology www.drake.edu

2. 02

   Rank 2: Luther College

   Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

   Decorah, IA · Private nonprofit · town campus

   Our score

   81.4

   2nd of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 121 of 568

   Luther's two-track exercise science major, split between Allied Health Sciences and Strength and Conditioning, backs an 81.4 score just under Dordt University's 82.9 in Iowa.

   Luther College places 2nd of 12 in Iowa at 81.4, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $51,140 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 71% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 72% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 11 bachelor's degrees a year, 6% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

   • Allied Health Sciences track
   • Strength and Conditioning track
   • NSCA, ACSM and NASM certification prep
   • Sports and Recreation Center lab space

   Graduation rate

   71%

   Admit rate

   72%

   In-state tuition

   $51,140

   Out-of-state tuition

   $51,140

   Cost of attendance

   $67,705

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,384

   Degrees conferred

   11

   View Luther College's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.luther.edu

3. 03

   Rank 3: Coe College

   Kinesiology

   Cedar Rapids, IA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   80.6

   3rd of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 135 of 568

   Coe College admits 64% of applicants into a kinesiology program built around four separate tracks, sixteen points tighter than the 80% median for the level.

   Coe College places 3rd of 12 in Iowa at 80.6, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $54,316 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 66% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 64% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 17 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

   • Sophomore-year K-12 teaching field experience
   • Fitness Development splits into Strength & Conditioning or Health & Wellness
   • Sports management via business administration concentration
   • 66% graduation rate

   Graduation rate

   66%

   Admit rate

   64%

   In-state tuition

   $54,316

   Out-of-state tuition

   $54,316

   Cost of attendance

   $70,912

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,195

   Degrees conferred

   17

   View Coe College's Kinesiology www.coe.edu

4. 04

   Rank 4: Northwestern College

   Exercise Science

   Orange City, IA · Private nonprofit · town campus

   Our score

   76.1

   4th of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 221 of 568

   Northwestern graduates 66% of its kinesiology students, the 75th percentile among 568 bachelor's programs, in a cohort of just 1,184 undergraduates.

   Northwestern College places 4th of 12 in Iowa at 76.1, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $36,400 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 66% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 80% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 15 bachelor's degrees a year, 8% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

   • 80% admission rate
   • $52,000 total cost of attendance
   • 15 degrees conferred yearly

   Graduation rate

   66%

   Admit rate

   80%

   In-state tuition

   $36,400

   Out-of-state tuition

   $36,400

   Cost of attendance

   $52,000

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,184

   Degrees conferred

   15

   View Northwestern College's Exercise Science www.nwciowa.edu

5. 05

   Rank 5: Cornell College

   Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

   Mount Vernon, IA · Private nonprofit · town campus

   Our score

   74.9

   5th of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 240 of 568

   Total institutional enrollment is Cornell's limiting factor, at just the 13th percentile among 568 programs, but a 62% graduation rate clears the 55% median for the level by seven points.

   Cornell College places 5th of 12 in Iowa at 74.9, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $51,970 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 62% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 80% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 17 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

   • 80% admission rate
   • 17 degrees conferred yearly
   • $69,050 total cost of attendance

   Graduation rate

   62%

   Admit rate

   80%

   In-state tuition

   $51,970

   Out-of-state tuition

   $51,970

   Cost of attendance

   $69,050

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,094

   Degrees conferred

   17

   www.cornellcollege.edu

6. 06

   Rank 6: Saint Ambrose University

   B.S. in Exercise Science

   Davenport, IA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   74.6

   6th of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 254 of 568

   Saint Ambrose separates itself from Iowa peers like Cornell College (74.9 on our score) and Wartburg College (74.5) with a built-in 3+2.5 accelerated pathway straight into a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

   Saint Ambrose University places 6th of 12 in Iowa at 74.6, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $36,378 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 61% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 77% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 37 bachelor's degrees a year, 21% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

   • 3+1 path to MS Exercise Physiology
   • Two tracks: pre-health, performance/fitness
   • NSCA-recognized program
   • Wellness Center exercise labs
   • 88% of grads enter grad school

   Graduation rate

   61%

   Admit rate

   77%

   In-state tuition

   $36,378

   Out-of-state tuition

   $36,378

   Cost of attendance

   $54,956

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,939

   Degrees conferred

   37

   View Saint Ambrose University's B.S. in Exercise Science www.sau.edu

7. 07

   Rank 7: Wartburg College

   Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

   Waverly, IA · Private nonprofit · town campus

   Our score

   74.5

   7th of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 257 of 568

   Candidates undecided between exercise science, kinesiology, and physical education should look at Wartburg, where all three majors share the same Elite Form-equipped weight room and body composition lab.

   Wartburg College places 7th of 12 in Iowa at 74.5, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $25,000 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 64% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 76% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 11 bachelor's degrees a year, 6% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

   • Interns placed with Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars
   • K-12 physical education certification track
   • Korr analyzer, 3-D force plate, InBody 570 lab
   • Flat $25,000 tuition, in state or out

   Graduation rate

   64%

   Admit rate

   76%

   In-state tuition

   $25,000

   Out-of-state tuition

   $25,000

   Cost of attendance

   $42,913

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,462

   Degrees conferred

   11

   View Wartburg College's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.wartburg.edu

8. 08

   Rank 8: Buena Vista University

   Kinesiology and Exercise Science

   Storm Lake, IA · Private nonprofit · town campus

   Our score

   74

   8th of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 268 of 568

   Buena Vista lets kinesiology majors pick from four tracks: public health, sport psychology, sport science, or strength and conditioning, and builds in exam prep for the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential.

   Buena Vista University places 8th of 12 in Iowa at 74, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $41,798 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 62% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 78% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 8 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

   • Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Health Science capstone course
   • 'Intraship' alongside BVU's strength and conditioning coach
   • Kinesiology, exercise science minor, 20 credit hours
   • $41,798 tuition, well above the $25,000 median for the level

   Graduation rate

   62%

   Admit rate

   78%

   In-state tuition

   $41,798

   Out-of-state tuition

   $41,798

   Cost of attendance

   $57,721

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,436

   Degrees conferred

   8

   View Buena Vista University's Kinesiology and Exercise Science www.bvu.edu

9. 09

   Rank 9: Mount Mercy University

   Bachelor of Exercise Science

   Cedar Rapids, IA · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   69.9

   9th of 12 in Iowa

   National rank 386 of 568

   A guaranteed senior year internship and a fast track into Drake University's two year Master of Athletic Training set Mount Mercy's Bachelor of Exercise Science apart from Buena Vista University, Iowa's 74 point program.

   Mount Mercy University places 9th of 12 in Iowa at 69.9, with 8 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $39,878 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 58% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

   It admits 83% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 8 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

   • Internships at Mercy Medical Center
   • Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex
   • Two year pipeline to Drake's Master's
   • 14:1 student to faculty ratio

   Graduation rate

   58%

   Admit rate

   83%

   In-state tuition

   $39,878

   Out-of-state tuition

   $39,878

   Cost of attendance

   $58,678

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,139

   Degrees conferred

   8

   View Mount Mercy University's Bachelor of Exercise Science www.mtmercy.edu

10. 10

    Rank 10: Loras College

    Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology

    Dubuque, IA · Private nonprofit · city campus

    Our score

    68.4

    10th of 12 in Iowa

    National rank 421 of 568

    Every applicant who applies to Loras' kinesiology program is admitted, a 0th-percentile selectivity mark that pulls hardest on the score, even though 68% of its students graduate against a 55% median for the level.

    Loras College places 10th of 12 in Iowa at 68.4, with 9 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $37,912 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 68% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

    It admits 100% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 21 bachelor's degrees a year, 12% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

    • 4+1 Master's in Athletic Training route
    • Mandatory internship, research, or practicum experience
    • 3+2.5 Doctor of Physical Therapy pipeline
    • 21 kinesiology degrees conferred yearly

    Graduation rate

    68%

    Admit rate

    100%

    In-state tuition

    $37,912

    Out-of-state tuition

    $37,912

    Cost of attendance

    $54,674

    Undergrad enrollment

    1,123

    Degrees conferred

    21

    View Loras College's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology www.loras.edu

11. 11

    Rank 11: William Penn University

    Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

    Oskaloosa, IA · Private nonprofit · town campus

    Our score

    68.1

    11th of 12 in Iowa

    National rank 427 of 568

    William Penn graduates only 33% of its exercise science majors on schedule, the 7th percentile among peers, even as a 52% admit rate ranks in the 92nd percentile for selectivity.

    William Penn University places 11th of 12 in Iowa at 68.1, with 10 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $29,750 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316. Its 33% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one.

    It admits 52% of applicants, against 52% to 100% across Iowa. It confers 13 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

    • AMTI force platform and Vicon motion-capture lab
    • ACSM and NSCA certification prep coursework
    • 1,010-square-foot Biomechanics Research Laboratory
    • 13 exercise science degrees conferred yearly

    Graduation rate

    33%

    Admit rate

    52%

    In-state tuition

    $29,750

    Out-of-state tuition

    $29,750

    Cost of attendance

    $45,200

    Undergrad enrollment

    1,348

    Degrees conferred

    13

    View William Penn University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.wmpenn.edu

12. 12

    Rank 12: Briar Cliff University

    Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Sioux City, IA · Private nonprofit · city campus

    Our score

    62.2

    12th of 12 in Iowa

    National rank 522 of 568

    Briar Cliff's kinesiology building holds a BOD POD body composition system and a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer, though thin federal reporting holds our score near the median for the level regardless.

    Briar Cliff University places 12th of 12 in Iowa at 62.2, with 11 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $34,230 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $25,000 to $54,316.

    Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 33% to 74% spread across the 12 Iowa schools that report one. It confers 13 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 179 awarded across Iowa at this level.

    • Wattbike performance testing equipment
    • Parvo Medics cardiopulmonary metabolic cart
    • Custom EliteFTS collegiate power rack
    • Reports only 3 of 5 scoring inputs
    • $34,230 flat annual tuition

    Graduation rate

    48%

    In-state tuition

    $34,230

    Out-of-state tuition

    $34,230

    Cost of attendance

    $58,340

    Undergrad enrollment

    766

    Degrees conferred

    13

    View Briar Cliff University's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.briarcliff.edu

Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in Iowa 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 Iowa

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

Exercise Physiologists in Iowa

Iowa median

$56,640

vs national

−$2,820

Employed in IA

50

10th to 90th

$45,190 – $75,530

Every Iowa Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in Iowa

This page ranks bachelor's programs only. Iowa 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 Iowa 6 programs ranked
• Master's Master's in Kinesiology in Iowa 2 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 Iowa’s own BLS medians where published.

• Physical Therapist$97,560 median in Iowa · needs doctoral degree
• Occupational Therapist$89,910 median in Iowa · needs master's degree
• Physical Therapist Assistant$61,030 median in Iowa · reachable at this level
• Exercise Physiologist$56,640 median in Iowa · reachable at this level
• Recreational Therapist$56,140 median in Iowa · reachable at this level
• Athletic Trainer$55,430 median in Iowa · needs master's degree
• Coach or Scout$49,350 median in Iowa · reachable at this level
• Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$36,160 median in Iowa · 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa

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

• Illinois 12
• Indiana 12
• Kansas 9
• Michigan 12
• Minnesota 11
• Missouri 12