Best Kinesiology Bachelor's Programs in North Carolina

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

All 12 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in North Carolina, 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: Wake Forest University

   B.S. in Health and Exercise Science

   Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   94.7

   1st of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 13 of 568

   A 22% admit rate places Wake Forest's Health and Exercise Science major in the 98th percentile for selectivity among the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.

   Wake Forest University leads North Carolina at 94.7, ahead of the other 11 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $66,470 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 89% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

   It admits 22% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 97 bachelor's degrees a year, 21% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level. Nationally it is 13th of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.

   • Reportedly the 8th most popular major
   • Faculty research spans bone density, weight loss
   • Wake Forest EMS and Pre-Physician Assistants student orgs
   • Grads started health careers in 37 states

   Graduation rate

   89%

   Admit rate

   22%

   In-state tuition

   $66,470

   Out-of-state tuition

   $66,470

   Cost of attendance

   $91,202

   Undergrad enrollment

   5,490

   Degrees conferred

   97

   View Wake Forest University's B.S. in Health and Exercise Science www.wfu.edu

2. 02

   Rank 2: Elon University

   Exercise Science B.S.

   Elon, NC · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

   Our score

   88.2

   2nd of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 39 of 568

   Elon's Exercise Science Laboratory inside the Koury Athletic Center puts undergraduates through body-composition, gait, and blood-and-saliva biomarker testing before they ever leave for an internship.

   Elon University places 2nd of 12 in North Carolina at 88.2, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $46,451 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 84% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

   It admits 66% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 50 bachelor's degrees a year, 11% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

   • Koury Athletic Center training facilities
   • Internships at Duke Sports Medicine Clinic
   • Dance Science offered as related major
   • Neuromotor control coursework required

   Graduation rate

   84%

   Admit rate

   66%

   In-state tuition

   $46,451

   Out-of-state tuition

   $46,451

   Cost of attendance

   $65,443

   Undergrad enrollment

   6,452

   Degrees conferred

   50

   View Elon University's Exercise Science B.S. www.elon.edu

3. 03

   Rank 3: Appalachian State University

   Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Applied Exercise Physiology

   Boone, NC · Public · town campus

   Our score

   83.3

   3rd of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 93 of 568

   App State admits nine in ten applicants yet still posts a 75% graduation rate, twenty points above the 55% median across similarly scored exercise science and kinesiology programs.

   Appalachian State University places 3rd of 12 in North Carolina at 83.3, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $4,242 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 75% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

   It admits 90% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 67 bachelor's degrees a year, 15% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level. Residency is worth $17,633 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $21,875 out-of-state rate.

   • Applied Exercise Physiology concentration track
   • ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist exam prep
   • Required internship placement
   • In-state tuition of $4,242 a year
   • Accelerated bachelor's-to-master's in one year

   Graduation rate

   75%

   Admit rate

   90%

   In-state tuition

   $4,242

   Out-of-state tuition

   $21,875

   Cost of attendance

   $24,063

   Undergrad enrollment

   19,560

   Degrees conferred

   67

   View ASU's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Applied Exercise Physiology www.appstate.edu

4. 04

   Rank 4: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

   Kinesiology, B.S., Sports Medicine and Movement Science Concentration

   Greensboro, NC · Public · city campus · online option

   Our score

   79.3

   4th of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 160 of 568

   UNCG's Sports Medicine and Movement Science concentration packs 14 hours of concentration coursework, including a course on correcting pathological movement patterns, taught by faculty who also lead the university's Master's in Athletic Training program.

   University of North Carolina at Greensboro places 4th of 12 in North Carolina at 79.3, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $4,422 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 56% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one. It is also the only one here flagged in IPEDS as offering an online option.

   It admits 89% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 136 bachelor's degrees a year, 30% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level. Residency is worth $16,351 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,773 out-of-state rate.

   • General Physics required for the concentration
   • Preparation for graduate study in neuromechanics and biomechanics
   • Sport and Social Development and Sport Coaching minors
   • Separate Exercise Specialist concentration option

   Graduation rate

   56%

   Admit rate

   89%

   In-state tuition

   $4,422

   Out-of-state tuition

   $20,773

   Cost of attendance

   $22,585

   Undergrad enrollment

   14,416

   Degrees conferred

   136

   View University of North Carolina at Greensboro's Kinesiology, B.S., Sports Medicine and Movement Science Concentration www.uncg.edu

5. 05

   Rank 5: University of Mount Olive

   Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

   Mount Olive, NC · Private nonprofit · rural campus

   Our score

   72.5

   5th of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 305 of 568

   Students who want live-client fieldwork before graduation, not just a classroom sequence, are the fit for Mount Olive's capstone internship and campus exercise science lab.

   University of Mount Olive places 5th of 12 in North Carolina at 72.5, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $26,216 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 52% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

   It admits 76% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 12 bachelor's degrees a year, 3% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

   • 480-hour clinical internship requirement
   • ACSM- and NSCA-aligned curriculum
   • Coaching and Sport Psychology minors
   • $500 departmental scholarships awarded annually
   • 52% graduation rate

   Graduation rate

   52%

   Admit rate

   76%

   In-state tuition

   $26,216

   Out-of-state tuition

   $26,216

   Cost of attendance

   $42,756

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,944

   Degrees conferred

   12

   View University of Mount Olive's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science umo.edu

6. 06

   Rank 6: Brevard College

   Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

   Brevard, NC · Private nonprofit · town campus

   Our score

   72.2

   6th of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 313 of 568

   Brevard College's exercise science and kinesiology program admits just 42% of applicants, well under the 80% median among its 568 peer bachelor's programs.

   Brevard College places 6th of 12 in North Carolina at 72.2, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $30,280 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 49% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

   It admits 42% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 9 bachelor's degrees a year, 2% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

   • Guest lectures with local health partners
   • Town campus in western North Carolina
   • 821 undergraduates
   • 9 exercise science degrees awarded yearly

   Graduation rate

   49%

   Admit rate

   42%

   In-state tuition

   $30,280

   Out-of-state tuition

   $30,280

   Cost of attendance

   $49,780

   Undergrad enrollment

   821

   Degrees conferred

   9

   View Brevard College's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.brevard.edu

7. 07

   Rank 7: Salem College

   Exercise Science, B.S. or B.A.

   Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   72.2

   7th of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 314 of 568

   Salem College's women's-only campus in Winston-Salem suits a student aiming for physical therapy, occupational therapy, or athletic training programs after graduation, especially one who wants a business administration minor alongside the science coursework.

   Salem College places 7th of 12 in North Carolina at 72.2, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $33,848 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 57% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

   It admits 77% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 5 bachelor's degrees a year, 1% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

   • Required internship before graduation
   • Minor in coaching offered
   • BS and BA tracks in exercise science
   • 464 undergraduates

   Graduation rate

   57%

   Admit rate

   77%

   In-state tuition

   $33,848

   Out-of-state tuition

   $33,848

   Cost of attendance

   $55,258

   Undergrad enrollment

   464

   Degrees conferred

   5

   View Salem College's Exercise Science, B.S. or B.A. www.salem.edu

8. 08

   Rank 8: Catawba College

   Exercise Science

   Salisbury, NC · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

   Our score

   72

   8th of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 321 of 568

   Graduation outcomes are Catawba's weak point: 47% completion, the 25th percentile among 568 programs, though a comparatively tight 75% admission rate offsets some of that drag.

   Catawba College places 8th of 12 in North Carolina at 72, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $34,300 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 47% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

   It admits 75% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 30 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

   • 1,262 undergraduate enrollment
   • 30 degrees conferred yearly
   • $53,455 total cost of attendance

   Graduation rate

   47%

   Admit rate

   75%

   In-state tuition

   $34,300

   Out-of-state tuition

   $34,300

   Cost of attendance

   $53,455

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,262

   Degrees conferred

   30

   View Catawba College's Exercise Science www.catawba.edu

9. 09

   Rank 9: Elizabeth City State University

   Kinesiology, B.S.

   Elizabeth City, NC · Public · town campus · HBCU

   Our score

   71.8

   9th of 12 in North Carolina

   National rank 329 of 568

   Three in-major concentrations, Exercise Science, Fitness & Wellness and Physical Education & Health Teaching, define Elizabeth City State's HBCU kinesiology degree, scored 71.8 against a 73.3 median for the level.

   Elizabeth City State University places 9th of 12 in North Carolina at 71.8, with 8 programs scoring above it. Its 44% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

   It admits 64% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 23 bachelor's degrees a year, 5% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

   • Minors in Public Health, Science of Coaching and Health & Wellness Promotion
   • Leads to North Carolina K-12 teaching licensure
   • Required field experience embedded in coursework
   • 64% admit rate, 82nd percentile among peers
   • $20,943 full cost of attendance

   Graduation rate

   44%

   Admit rate

   64%

   Out-of-state tuition

   $5,000

   Cost of attendance

   $20,943

   Undergrad enrollment

   2,154

   Degrees conferred

   23

   View ECSU's Kinesiology, B.S. www.ecsu.edu

10. 10

    Rank 10: Montreat College

    Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Montreat, NC · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

    Our score

    71.1

    10th of 12 in North Carolina

    National rank 347 of 568

    Montreat's exercise science students had all seven research abstracts accepted at a 2024 regional sports medicine conference, output that its 71.1 score, trailing Catawba College's 72 by less than a point, doesn't fully reflect.

    Montreat College places 10th of 12 in North Carolina at 71.1, with 9 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $33,900 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 50% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

    It admits 69% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 1 bachelor's degrees a year, 0% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

    • Faculty-led research trips to regional ACSM meetings
    • Data analytics added to exercise science coursework
    • Student Bowl academic competition team
    • 962 total enrollment
    • 1 degree conferred a year

    Graduation rate

    50%

    Admit rate

    69%

    In-state tuition

    $33,900

    Out-of-state tuition

    $33,900

    Cost of attendance

    $50,340

    Undergrad enrollment

    781

    Degrees conferred

    1

    View Montreat College's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.montreat.edu

11. 11

    Rank 11: Greensboro College

    Exercise and Sport Studies (B.A./B.S.)

    Greensboro, NC · Private nonprofit · city campus

    Our score

    70.6

    11th of 12 in North Carolina

    National rank 357 of 568

    A 46% graduation rate, at just the 22nd percentile of its 568 programs at this level, is the single biggest drag on Greensboro College's 70.6 score.

    Greensboro College places 11th of 12 in North Carolina at 70.6, with 10 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $20,900 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 46% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

    It admits 70% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 14 bachelor's degrees a year, 3% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

    • Choice of four sport studies concentrations
    • B.A. or B.S. degree options
    • Internships at sports offices, clinics and health businesses
    • 14 exercise and sport studies degrees conferred yearly
    • 70% admit rate, 73rd percentile among peers

    Graduation rate

    46%

    Admit rate

    70%

    In-state tuition

    $20,900

    Out-of-state tuition

    $20,900

    Cost of attendance

    $38,130

    Undergrad enrollment

    899

    Degrees conferred

    14

    View Greensboro College's Exercise and Sport Studies (B.A./B.S.) www.greensboro.edu

12. 12

    Rank 12: Saint Augustine's University

    Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Raleigh, NC · Private nonprofit · city campus · HBCU

    Our score

    70.3

    12th of 12 in North Carolina

    National rank 372 of 568

    Saint Augustine's new Dean of Exercise Science and Collegiate Athletics arrives at a historically Black university whose exercise science program admits just 34% of applicants, the most selective bar among its 568 peers.

    Saint Augustine's University places 12th of 12 in North Carolina at 70.3, with 11 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $10,968 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,242 to $66,470. Its 25% graduation rate sits against a 25% to 89% spread across the 12 North Carolina schools that report one.

    It admits 34% of applicants, against 22% to 90% across North Carolina. It confers 8 bachelor's degrees a year, 2% of the 452 awarded across North Carolina at this level.

    • Three decades of athletics administration experience
    • Raleigh, North Carolina campus
    • 97th percentile for admissions selectivity
    • 8 exercise science and kinesiology degrees conferred yearly

    Graduation rate

    25%

    Admit rate

    34%

    In-state tuition

    $10,968

    Out-of-state tuition

    $10,968

    Cost of attendance

    $32,312

    Undergrad enrollment

    173

    Degrees conferred

    8

    View Saint Augustine's University's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.st-aug.edu

Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in North Carolina 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 North Carolina

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

Exercise Physiologists in North Carolina

North Carolina median

$52,450

vs national

−$7,010

Employed in NC

370

10th to 90th

$43,900 – $71,270

Every North Carolina Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in North Carolina

This page ranks bachelor's programs only. North Carolina 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 North Carolina 4 programs ranked
• Doctoral PhD in Kinesiology in North Carolina 1 program 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 North Carolina’s own BLS medians where published.

• Physical Therapist$99,910 median in North Carolina · needs doctoral degree
• Occupational Therapist$92,940 median in North Carolina · needs master's degree
• Physical Therapist Assistant$67,540 median in North Carolina · reachable at this level
• Athletic Trainer$56,540 median in North Carolina · needs master's degree
• Exercise Physiologist$52,450 median in North Carolina · reachable at this level
• Recreational Therapist$51,030 median in North Carolina · reachable at this level
• Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$46,450 median in North Carolina · reachable at this level
• Coach or Scout$43,840 median in North Carolina · 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina

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

• Alabama 8
• Arkansas 10
• Delaware 1
• Florida 10
• Georgia 12
• Kentucky 7