Best Kinesiology Bachelor's Programs in Missouri

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

All 12 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in Missouri, 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: Saint Louis University

   Exercise Science, B.S.

   Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   89

   1st of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 36 of 568

   Saint Louis University's Exercise Science B.S. offers direct-entry paths into its own Master of Athletic Training and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, plus an Exercise and Wellness track offered at SLU-Madrid.

   Saint Louis University leads Missouri at 89, ahead of the other 11 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $54,760 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 80% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

   It admits 75% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 94 bachelor's degrees a year, 20% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level. Nationally it is 36th of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.

   • Direct-entry Master of Athletic Training pathway
   • Direct-entry Doctor of Physical Therapy pathway
   • Wellness concentration option abroad in Madrid
   • Required Interprofessional Community Practicum course

   Graduation rate

   80%

   Admit rate

   75%

   In-state tuition

   $54,760

   Out-of-state tuition

   $54,760

   Cost of attendance

   $77,110

   Undergrad enrollment

   10,413

   Degrees conferred

   94

   View Saint Louis University's Exercise Science, B.S. www.slu.edu

2. 02

   Rank 2: Rockhurst University

   Exercise Science, B.S.

   Kansas City, MO · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   85.5

   2nd of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 64 of 568

   Students eyeing a defined pathway into a graduate athletic training or chiropractic program should look at Rockhurst, whose exercise science major carries articulation agreements with University of St. Mary, Wichita State and Cleveland University.

   Rockhurst University places 2nd of 12 in Missouri at 85.5, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $43,366 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 75% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

   It admits 70% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 30 bachelor's degrees a year, 6% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level.

   • Senior practicum under a professional
   • Pre-OT 'Three Plus' pathway
   • Pre-PT 'Early Assurance' pathway
   • PURPOSE club and undergrad research
   • Minor in exercise science available

   Graduation rate

   75%

   Admit rate

   70%

   In-state tuition

   $43,366

   Out-of-state tuition

   $43,366

   Cost of attendance

   $64,809

   Undergrad enrollment

   2,303

   Degrees conferred

   30

   View Rockhurst University's Exercise Science, B.S. www.rockhurst.edu

3. 03

   Rank 3: University of Central Missouri

   B.S. in Kinesiology

   Warrensburg, MO · Public · town campus · online option

   Our score

   83.4

   3rd of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 86 of 568

   Getting into UCM's kinesiology program is the harder part, a 64% admit rate against an 80% median for the level, but only 54% of students who enroll go on to finish, just under the 55% median.

   University of Central Missouri places 3rd of 12 in Missouri at 83.4, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,550 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 54% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one. It is also the only one here flagged in IPEDS as offering an online option.

   It admits 64% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 43 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level. Residency is worth $8,550 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $17,100 out-of-state rate.

   • Five pre-professional concentration tracks
   • 300-hour required internship
   • Three equipped exercise-science labs
   • 21-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio

   Graduation rate

   54%

   Admit rate

   64%

   In-state tuition

   $8,550

   Out-of-state tuition

   $17,100

   Cost of attendance

   $24,731

   Undergrad enrollment

   7,584

   Degrees conferred

   43

   View University of Central Missouri's B.S. in Kinesiology www.ucmo.edu

4. 04

   Rank 4: Truman State University

   Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

   Kirksville, MO · Public · town campus

   Our score

   83.3

   4th of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 91 of 568

   Truman trades selectivity, an 84% admit rate leaves it in the bottom 40th percentile among comparable kinesiology programs, for one of the few undergraduate cadaver labs in the country.

   Truman State University places 4th of 12 in Missouri at 83.3, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $9,500 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 69% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

   It admits 84% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 55 bachelor's degrees a year, 12% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level. Residency is worth $8,728 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $18,228 out-of-state rate.

   • Piper Movement Analysis Laboratory access
   • ACSM EP-C senior exit exam
   • Four concentration tracks offered
   • 54% medical school acceptance rate reported

   Graduation rate

   69%

   Admit rate

   84%

   In-state tuition

   $9,500

   Out-of-state tuition

   $18,228

   Cost of attendance

   $26,896

   Undergrad enrollment

   3,265

   Degrees conferred

   55

   View TSU's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.truman.edu

5. 05

   Rank 5: Lindenwood University

   Exercise Science, BS with Pre-Health Professions Emphasis

   Saint Charles, MO · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   80.9

   5th of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 131 of 568

   Lindenwood's Exercise Science, BS suits students who already know they want physical therapy, occupational therapy, PA, or chiropractic school next, since the Pre-Health Professions emphasis is built around those prerequisites.

   Lindenwood University places 5th of 12 in Missouri at 80.9, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $19,900 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 49% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

   It admits 57% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 56 bachelor's degrees a year, 12% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level.

   • Advisor-approved electives keyed to each grad-school target
   • C or better required in major courses
   • Biology and chemistry prerequisite sequence
   • 56 exercise-science degrees conferred a year

   Graduation rate

   49%

   Admit rate

   57%

   In-state tuition

   $19,900

   Out-of-state tuition

   $19,900

   Cost of attendance

   $37,702

   Undergrad enrollment

   4,663

   Degrees conferred

   56

   View Lindenwood University's Exercise Science, BS with Pre-Health Professions Emphasis www.lindenwood.edu

6. 06

   Rank 6: Missouri State University-Springfield

   Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

   Springfield, MO · Public · city campus

   Our score

   76.2

   6th of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 216 of 568

   Missouri State runs its exercise science majors through an on-campus lab built for hands-on fitness-training practice, backed by internship and clinical placements at hospitals across Springfield.

   Missouri State University-Springfield places 6th of 12 in Missouri at 76.2, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,120 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 58% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

   It admits 91% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 85 bachelor's degrees a year, 18% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level. Residency is worth $9,268 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $17,388 out-of-state rate.

   • Labs equipped for specialized training demonstrations
   • Partnerships with hospitals and clinics for clinical exposure
   • Housed in the School of Health Sciences
   • University, college and departmental scholarships available

   Graduation rate

   58%

   Admit rate

   91%

   In-state tuition

   $8,120

   Out-of-state tuition

   $17,388

   Cost of attendance

   $25,632

   Undergrad enrollment

   20,584

   Degrees conferred

   85

   View Missouri State University-Springfield's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.missouristate.edu

7. 07

   Rank 7: Webster University

   Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

   Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

   Our score

   76.2

   7th of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 217 of 568

   Webster graduates just five students a year from its exercise science major, but pairs that small cohort with a mandatory year-long senior thesis and close faculty mentorship from the first semester.

   Webster University places 7th of 12 in Missouri at 76.2, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $31,450 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 64% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

   It admits 86% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 5 bachelor's degrees a year, 1% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level.

   • STEM-designated degree inside Natural Sciences and Mathematics
   • Required senior thesis presented in a public forum
   • Strength coach and athletic trainer serve as adjunct faculty
   • Individualized four-year plan mapped by end of freshman year

   Graduation rate

   64%

   Admit rate

   86%

   In-state tuition

   $31,450

   Out-of-state tuition

   $31,450

   Cost of attendance

   $53,626

   Undergrad enrollment

   2,322

   Degrees conferred

   5

   View Webster University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.webster.edu

8. 08

   Rank 8: Missouri Baptist University

   Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science

   Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

   Our score

   75

   8th of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 238 of 568

   Missouri Baptist reports 78.5% retention for exercise science majors, far above the university's federal graduation rate of 48%, a percentile of 27.6 among 568 bachelor's peers and the score's biggest drag.

   Missouri Baptist University places 8th of 12 in Missouri at 75, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $31,530 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

   It admits 69% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 19 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level.

   • CAAHEP-accredited through 2030
   • Required internship in exercise science
   • 60 credit-hour major with embedded minors
   • 82% self-reported placement rate
   • Suburban St. Louis campus

   Graduation rate

   48%

   Admit rate

   69%

   In-state tuition

   $31,530

   Out-of-state tuition

   $31,530

   Cost of attendance

   $54,317

   Undergrad enrollment

   4,958

   Degrees conferred

   19

   View Missouri Baptist University's Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science www.mobap.edu

9. 09

   Rank 9: Southwest Baptist University

   Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

   Bolivar, MO · Private nonprofit · town campus

   Our score

   74.7

   9th of 12 in Missouri

   National rank 249 of 568

   Southwest Baptist's Rehabilitative Sciences concentration folds pre-physical therapy, pre-athletic training, pre-occupational therapy and pre-chiropractic tracks into one bachelor's degree, a fit for students committed to a pre-health graduate path.

   Southwest Baptist University places 9th of 12 in Missouri at 74.7, with 8 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $28,656 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 55% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

   It admits 68% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 33 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level.

   • Required practicum plus a required senior internship
   • Prepares students for the ACSM Personal Training exam
   • 85% placement rate within three months of graduation
   • Health and Human Performance concentration in strength and conditioning
   • Town campus in Bolivar, Missouri

   Graduation rate

   55%

   Admit rate

   68%

   In-state tuition

   $28,656

   Out-of-state tuition

   $28,656

   Cost of attendance

   $43,895

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,710

   Degrees conferred

   33

   View Southwest Baptist University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.sbuniv.edu

10. 10

    Rank 10: Maryville University of Saint Louis

    Bachelor's in Exercise Science

    Saint Louis, MO · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

    Our score

    74

    10th of 12 in Missouri

    National rank 270 of 568

    An applicant chasing above-median graduation odds without a selective admissions gate fits Maryville's exercise science program, which accepts 95% of applicants yet still graduates 66% of its students.

    Maryville University of Saint Louis places 10th of 12 in Missouri at 74, with 9 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $24,766 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 66% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

    It admits 95% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 22 bachelor's degrees a year, 5% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level.

    • Entry point into graduate healthcare programs
    • Suburban St. Louis campus
    • 5,692 undergraduates, 9,261 across all levels
    • $24,766 flat tuition, in state or out

    Graduation rate

    66%

    Admit rate

    95%

    In-state tuition

    $24,766

    Out-of-state tuition

    $24,766

    Cost of attendance

    $45,330

    Undergrad enrollment

    5,692

    Degrees conferred

    22

    View Maryville University of Saint Louis' Bachelor's in Exercise Science www.maryville.edu

11. 11

    Rank 11: William Woods University

    B.S. in Exercise Science

    Fulton, MO · Private nonprofit · town campus

    Our score

    71.8

    11th of 12 in Missouri

    National rank 327 of 568

    Students who want a $1.3 million Center for Human Performance and a required industry internship over a highly selective admit rate should shortlist William Woods' exercise science degree.

    William Woods University places 11th of 12 in Missouri at 71.8, with 10 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $29,100 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 47% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

    It admits 71% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 15 bachelor's degrees a year, 3% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level.

    • Three tracks: conditioning, pre-AT, pre-PT
    • $1.3 million Center for Human Performance
    • On campus Weider Fitness Center
    • Required internship in the fitness industry

    Graduation rate

    47%

    Admit rate

    71%

    In-state tuition

    $29,100

    Out-of-state tuition

    $29,100

    Cost of attendance

    $52,822

    Undergrad enrollment

    1,342

    Degrees conferred

    15

    View William Woods University's B.S. in Exercise Science www.williamwoods.edu

12. 12

    Rank 12: Westminster College

    Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science

    Fulton, MO · Private nonprofit · town campus

    Our score

    70.7

    12th of 12 in Missouri

    National rank 354 of 568

    Westminster's Exercise Science major trades institutional scale, just 640 total students, for a required capstone or internship and study-abroad trips reaching Greece and Rwanda through its Public Health minor.

    Westminster College places 12th of 12 in Missouri at 70.7, with 11 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $32,124 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,120 to $54,760. Its 55% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 80% spread across the 12 Missouri schools that report one.

    It admits 79% of applicants, against 57% to 95% across Missouri. It confers 14 bachelor's degrees a year, 3% of the 471 awarded across Missouri at this level.

    • Service-learning nutrition lessons at Fulton schools
    • Faculty experienced as athletic trainers and dietitians
    • ACSM, NSCA, and ACE certification prep
    • 14 degrees conferred a year

    Graduation rate

    55%

    Admit rate

    79%

    In-state tuition

    $32,124

    Out-of-state tuition

    $32,124

    Cost of attendance

    $53,798

    Undergrad enrollment

    640

    Degrees conferred

    14

    View Westminster College's Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science www.wcmo.edu

Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in Missouri 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 Missouri

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

Exercise Physiologists in Missouri

Missouri median

$52,570

vs national

−$6,890

Employed in MO

160

10th to 90th

$46,700 – $69,260

Every Missouri Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in Missouri

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

• Master's Master's in Kinesiology in Missouri 3 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 Missouri’s own BLS medians where published.

• Physical Therapist$99,310 median in Missouri · needs doctoral degree
• Occupational Therapist$97,290 median in Missouri · needs master's degree
• Physical Therapist Assistant$63,770 median in Missouri · reachable at this level
• Athletic Trainer$58,660 median in Missouri · needs master's degree
• Recreational Therapist$58,620 median in Missouri · reachable at this level
• Exercise Physiologist$52,570 median in Missouri · reachable at this level
• Coach or Scout$42,790 median in Missouri · reachable at this level
• Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$36,450 median in Missouri · 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri

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

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