11 Best Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Minnesota

Programs ranked: 11
In-state tuition: $8,388 to $52,820
Avg graduation rate: 58%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Minnesota 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 11 highest scoring in Minnesota. University of St Thomas leads the state with a score of 84.2, which is national rank 78 out of 568. None of the 11 crack the national top 25, so read the scores below rather than assuming a national reputation.

In-state tuition runs from $8,388 to $52,820 across the 11 programs with a published rate. The 11 schools with a published graduation rate average 58%. Average admit rate across the 11 schools publishing one is 70%. Together they conferred 337 bachelor's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

4 of the 11 are public institutions and 7 are private. 2 are flagged as offering an online option.

All 11 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Minnesota, 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: University of St Thomas

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · city campus

Our score

1st of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 78 of 568

St. Thomas accepts 85% of applicants, well above the 80% median for the level, but backs that easy entry with a 76% graduation rate at the 93rd percentile and $52,820 in annual tuition.

University of St Thomas leads Minnesota at 84.2, ahead of the other 10 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $52,820 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 76% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 85% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 46 bachelor's degrees a year, 14% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level. Nationally it is 78th of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.
- Sports Science Institute partners with Division I athletes
- One of two schools with an Anatomage table
- Every student completes a 100-hour internship
- Duoos scholarship funds student research travel
- All Biomechanics students write research grants
Graduation rate

76%

Admit rate

85%

In-state tuition

$52,820

Out-of-state tuition

$52,820

Cost of attendance

$72,963

Undergrad enrollment

6,270

Degrees conferred

46

View University of St Thomas' Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.stthomas.edu
Rank 2: Minnesota State University Moorhead

B.S. in Exercise Science

Moorhead, MN · Public · suburban campus

Our score

2nd of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 85 of 568

Minnesota State Moorhead's exercise science degree splits into a Health and Fitness Emphasis and a Rehabilitative Science Emphasis, the latter loading up on chemistry, biology and physics prerequisites ahead of a senior-year internship.

Minnesota State University Moorhead places 2nd of 11 in Minnesota at 83.4, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,838 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 57% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 59% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 26 bachelor's degrees a year, 8% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- Strength and Conditioning Practicum requirement
- Senior-year Exercise Science internship
- Cross-listed athletic-training coursework
- 120-credit, four-year sequence
Graduation rate

57%

Admit rate

59%

In-state tuition

$8,838

Out-of-state tuition

$8,838

Cost of attendance

$26,316

Undergrad enrollment

3,375

Degrees conferred

26

View Minnesota State University Moorhead's B.S. in Exercise Science www.mnstate.edu
Rank 3: Winona State University

Clinical Exercise Science

Winona, MN · Public · town campus

Our score

3rd of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 130 of 568

Sixty-nine students graduate from Winona State's Clinical Exercise Science major each year, nearly triple the 24-a-year median across its 568 programs at this level.

Winona State University places 3rd of 11 in Minnesota at 80.9, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,388 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 57% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 75% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 69 bachelor's degrees a year, 20% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level. Residency is worth $6,732 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $15,120 out-of-state rate.
- CAAHEP-accredited Clinical Exercise Science major
- 600-hour clinical internship requirement
- 100-hour cardiopulmonary rehab practicum
- Prepares for ACSM and AACVPR certification exams
Graduation rate

57%

Admit rate

75%

In-state tuition

$8,388

Out-of-state tuition

$15,120

Cost of attendance

$23,730

Undergrad enrollment

5,317

Degrees conferred

69

View WSU's Clinical Exercise Science www.winona.edu
Rank 4: Concordia College at Moorhead

Exercise Science

Moorhead, MN · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

Our score

4th of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 151 of 568

Concordia's Exercise Science major carries CAAHEP accreditation with a strength and conditioning add-on, but the tradeoff is a flat $30,400 tuition bill against a $25,000 median for the level and only nine degrees conferred a year.

Concordia College at Moorhead places 4th of 11 in Minnesota at 79.8, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $30,400 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 61% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 63% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 9 bachelor's degrees a year, 3% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- ACSM or NSCA certification eligibility
- Required practicum before graduation
- Featured lab course in testing and prescription
- Undergraduate research participation track
Graduation rate

61%

Admit rate

63%

In-state tuition

$30,400

Out-of-state tuition

$30,400

Cost of attendance

$48,500

Undergrad enrollment

1,864

Degrees conferred

9

View Concordia College at Moorhead's Exercise Science www.concordiacollege.edu
Rank 5: Bemidji State University

Exercise Science, B.S.

Bemidji, MN · Public · town campus

Our score

5th of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 157 of 568

A 56% admit rate at Bemidji State pushes its Exercise Science B.S. into the 90th percentile for selectivity, the largest single lift behind an otherwise middling 48% graduation rate.

Bemidji State University places 5th of 11 in Minnesota at 79.5, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,994 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 56% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 30 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- Medical Fitness and Fitness Leadership emphases
- Pathway to accelerated 12-18 month BSN nursing programs
- Required internship in student's area of interest
- $8,994 flat tuition, in state or out
Graduation rate

48%

Admit rate

56%

In-state tuition

$8,994

Out-of-state tuition

$8,994

Cost of attendance

$24,789

Undergrad enrollment

3,751

Degrees conferred

30

View BSU's Exercise Science, B.S. www.bemidjistate.edu
Rank 6: Bethel University

Exercise Science B.S.

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

Our score

6th of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 172 of 568

Bethel backs its Exercise Science major with the Bethel Career Commitment, a pledge to keep supporting graduates who lack a job offer or graduate acceptance six months after commencement.

Bethel University places 6th of 11 in Minnesota at 78.7, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $44,050 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 71% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 88% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 25 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- Six-month post-grad support guarantee
- Summer Scholarship and Research Program
- Studio for Vocation and Calling career prep
- First-day interdisciplinary science core
Graduation rate

71%

Admit rate

88%

In-state tuition

$44,050

Out-of-state tuition

$44,050

Cost of attendance

$60,866

Undergrad enrollment

2,755

Degrees conferred

25

View Bethel University's Exercise Science B.S. www.bethel.edu
Rank 7: Southwest Minnesota State University

Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Marshall, MN · Public · town campus

Our score

7th of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 178 of 568

Southwest Minnesota State admits only 62% of applicants, tougher than most peer kinesiology programs, but only 45% of its students go on to finish the degree.

Southwest Minnesota State University places 7th of 11 in Minnesota at 78.2, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,840 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 45% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 62% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 29 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- Program housed in the Science Department
- Public campus in the town of Marshall
- $8,840 tuition for residents and nonresidents alike
- 7,735 undergraduates enrolled campus-wide
Graduation rate

45%

Admit rate

62%

In-state tuition

$8,840

Out-of-state tuition

$8,840

Cost of attendance

$26,241

Undergrad enrollment

7,735

Degrees conferred

29

View SMSU's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.smsu.edu
Rank 8: Crown College

Exercise Science B.S.

Saint Bonifacius, MN · Private nonprofit · rural campus · online option

Our score

8th of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 274 of 568

Only 23 of every 100 applicants get into Crown College's exercise science program, a selectivity edge strong enough to offset a graduation rate that trails most of its group of comparable programs.

Crown College places 8th of 11 in Minnesota at 73.9, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $30,470 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 45% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 23% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 3 bachelor's degrees a year, 1% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- Biblical worldview integrated into every course
- Human Performance Lab with COSMED Metabolic Cart
- 17:1 faculty-to-student ratio
- IPEDS lists an online delivery option
Graduation rate

45%

Admit rate

23%

In-state tuition

$30,470

Out-of-state tuition

$30,470

Cost of attendance

$48,538

Undergrad enrollment

1,523

Degrees conferred

3

View Crown College's Exercise Science B.S. www.crown.edu
Rank 9: Hamline University

Exercise Science, B.A./B.S.

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · city campus

Our score

9th of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 280 of 568

Where most exercise science majors offer one track, Hamline splits into a research-focused BS for physical therapy hopefuls and a broader BA for athletic training and cardiac rehab.

Hamline University places 9th of 11 in Minnesota at 73.7, with 8 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $48,784 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 60% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 88% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 14 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- Two labs: Integrative Physiology and BASU
- First-year undergraduate research placements
- Internships with Special Olympics Minnesota
- $48,784 annual tuition
Graduation rate

60%

Admit rate

88%

In-state tuition

$48,784

Out-of-state tuition

$48,784

Cost of attendance

$64,344

Undergrad enrollment

1,806

Degrees conferred

14

View Hamline University's Exercise Science, B.A./B.S. www.hamline.edu
Rank 10: Concordia University-Saint Paul

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · city campus · online option

Our score

10th of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 309 of 568

Concordia backs a 64-credit exercise science major, shorter than most peers' 120-credit sequences, with an athletic training specialization and a reported 97.5% graduate placement rate.

Concordia University-Saint Paul places 10th of 11 in Minnesota at 72.3, with 9 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $25,600 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 46% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 79% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 73 bachelor's degrees a year, 22% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- Athletic Training emphasis pathway
- 64-credit major requirement
- Coursework spans biology, chemistry, and biomechanics
- 73 exercise science degrees awarded yearly
- 46% graduation rate
Graduation rate

46%

Admit rate

79%

In-state tuition

$25,600

Out-of-state tuition

$25,600

Cost of attendance

$45,532

Undergrad enrollment

3,424

Degrees conferred

73

View Concordia University-Saint Paul's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.csp.edu
Rank 11: University of Northwestern-St Paul

Kinesiology, B.S.

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

Our score

11th of 11 in Minnesota

National rank 362 of 568

Northwestern's Pre-Therapy track and a 68% graduation rate, well above the 55% median for the level, keep its 70.5 score at the 36th percentile among the 568 bachelor's programs scored in this field, despite one of the field's lowest admit-rate percentiles.

University of Northwestern-St Paul places 11th of 11 in Minnesota at 70.5, with 10 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $36,980 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,388 to $52,820. Its 68% graduation rate sits against a 45% to 76% spread across the 11 Minnesota schools that report one.
It admits 93% of applicants, against 23% to 93% across Minnesota. It confers 13 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 337 awarded across Minnesota at this level.
- Health & Fitness and Health Management tracks available
- 125 credits required for the degree
- Business minor built into the Health Management track
- In the School of Education & Behavioral Sciences
- Featured course in Care and Prevention of Injuries
Graduation rate

68%

Admit rate

93%

In-state tuition

$36,980

Out-of-state tuition

$36,980

Cost of attendance

$53,224

Undergrad enrollment

3,163

Degrees conferred

13

View University of Northwestern-St Paul's Kinesiology, B.S. www.unwsp.edu

Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in Minnesota 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	University of St Thomas	Saint Paul	76%	85%	$52,820
02	Minnesota State University Moorhead	Moorhead	57%	59%	$8,838
03	Winona State University	Winona	57%	75%	$8,388
04	Concordia College at Moorhead	Moorhead	61%	63%	$30,400
05	Bemidji State University	Bemidji	48%	56%	$8,994
06	Bethel University	Saint Paul	71%	88%	$44,050
07	Southwest Minnesota State University	Marshall	45%	62%	$8,840
08	Crown College	Saint Bonifacius	45%	23%	$30,470
09	Hamline University	Saint Paul	60%	88%	$48,784
10	Concordia University-Saint Paul	Saint Paul	46%	79%	$25,600
11	University of Northwestern-St Paul	Saint Paul	68%	93%	$36,980

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Minnesota

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

Exercise Physiologists in Minnesota

Minnesota median: $67,230
vs national: +$7,770
Employed in MN: 250
10th to 90th: $61,640 – $95,140

Exercise Physiologists in Minnesota earn a median of $67,230, $7,770 above the national median of $59,460, across 250 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $61,640 and the top tenth clear $95,140, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Minnesota Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	MN median	vs national	Jobs in MN
Physical Therapists	$102,010	−$750	5,180
Occupational Therapists	$93,050	−$7,280	3,670
Recreational Therapists	$76,360	+$14,400	250
Exercise Physiologists	$67,230	+$7,770	250
Physical Therapist Assistants	$66,770	−$1,610	1,230
Athletic Trainers	$65,390	+$2,870	820
Coaches and Scouts	$48,050	+$730	4,680
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$43,620	−$3,540	7,010

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Minnesota, Physical Therapists pays the most at $102,010 ($750 below its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 7,010 jobs in the state paying a median of $43,620. 4 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 Minnesota

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

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 Minnesota

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

All 11 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Minnesota, Ranked (2026)

Rank 1: University of St Thomas

Rank 2: Minnesota State University Moorhead

Rank 3: Winona State University

Rank 4: Concordia College at Moorhead

Rank 5: Bemidji State University

Rank 6: Bethel University

Rank 7: Southwest Minnesota State University

Rank 8: Crown College

Rank 9: Hamline University

Rank 10: Concordia University-Saint Paul

Rank 11: University of Northwestern-St Paul