- Programs ranked
- 11
- In-state tuition
- $8,356 to $59,360
- Avg graduation rate
- 54%
- Median wage (BLS)
- $59,460
What Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in South Carolina 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 South Carolina. Furman University leads the state with a score of 91.1, which is national rank 26 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 $8,356 to $59,360 across the 11 programs with a published rate. The 11 schools with a published graduation rate average 54%. Average admit rate across the 10 schools publishing one is 76%. Together they conferred 424 bachelor's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.
5 of the 11 are public institutions and 6 are private. One is flagged as offering an online option.
All 11 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in South 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.
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Rank 1: Furman University
Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofit · suburban campus
Our score
1st of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 26 of 568
Furman's exercise science and kinesiology bachelor's admits only 43% of applicants and graduates 79% of them, a pairing that lands it at 91.1 in a field where the typical program scores 73.3.
Furman University leads South Carolina at 91.1, ahead of the other 10 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $59,360 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 79% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 43% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 70 bachelor's degrees a year, 17% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level. Nationally it is 26th of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.
- 70 kinesiology degrees awarded yearly
- 2,383 undergraduate enrollment
- Suburban private nonprofit campus
- Graduation rate
- 79%
- Admit rate
- 43%
- In-state tuition
- $59,360
- Out-of-state tuition
- $59,360
- Cost of attendance
- $79,924
- Undergrad enrollment
- 2,383
- Degrees conferred
- 70
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Rank 2: Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Exercise Science
Charleston, SC · Public · city campus
Our score
2nd of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 32 of 568
Citadel's Program of Distinction, the Dr. Hank Cross Human Performance Laboratory, gives exercise science undergraduates a hand in concussion and traumatic-brain-injury research most cadets pursue alongside required military training.
Citadel Military College of South Carolina places 2nd of 11 in South Carolina at 90.1, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,356 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 75% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 23% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 24 bachelor's degrees a year, 6% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level. Residency is worth $25,182 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $33,538 out-of-state rate.
- Corps of Cadets undergraduate pathway
- Summer medical camp, 5,000+ patients treated
- Housed in Deas Hall on campus
- Evening and online degree-completion tracks
- Graduation rate
- 75%
- Admit rate
- 23%
- In-state tuition
- $8,356
- Out-of-state tuition
- $33,538
- Cost of attendance
- $34,464
- Undergrad enrollment
- 2,737
- Degrees conferred
- 24
View Citadel Military College of South Carolina's Exercise Science citadel.edu
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Rank 3: Bob Jones University
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Greenville, SC · Private nonprofit · city campus
Our score
3rd of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 146 of 568
Bob Jones splits this Kinesiology degree into two concentrations: Exercise Physiology for fitness and wellness certification work, and Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation aimed at physical therapy or athletic training graduate school.
Bob Jones University places 3rd of 11 in South Carolina at 80.1, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $20,752 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360.
Its 65% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one. It confers 22 bachelor's degrees a year, 5% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level.
- BJU Core adds Bible, history, and communication requirements
- Trains in the Human Performance Lab
- Combines lab, practicum, independent study, and internship work
- Alumni admitted to DPT programs at Pitt and Emory
- Graduation rate
- 65%
- In-state tuition
- $20,752
- Out-of-state tuition
- $20,752
- Cost of attendance
- $39,950
- Undergrad enrollment
- 2,312
- Degrees conferred
- 22
View Bob Jones University's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology www.bju.edu
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Rank 4: Coastal Carolina University
Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Conway, SC · Public · city campus
Our score
4th of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 210 of 568
Coastal Carolina's 76.8 sits between Bob Jones University's 80.1 and Winthrop University's 76.2, a tight cluster among South Carolina's exercise science bachelor's programs.
Coastal Carolina University places 4th of 11 in South Carolina at 76.8, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $11,460 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 75% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 122 bachelor's degrees a year, 29% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level. Residency is worth $17,988 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $29,448 out-of-state rate.
- Exercise Science Club open to majors, led by student officers
- Housed in the Conway Medical Center College of Health and Human Performance
- 122 degrees conferred in exercise science each year
- $17,988 annual gap between resident and nonresident tuition
- Graduation rate
- 48%
- Admit rate
- 75%
- In-state tuition
- $11,460
- Out-of-state tuition
- $29,448
- Cost of attendance
- $29,300
- Undergrad enrollment
- 10,811
- Degrees conferred
- 122
View Coastal Carolina University's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.coastal.edu
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Rank 5: Winthrop University
Exercise Science, B.S.
Rock Hill, SC · Public · city campus
Our score
5th of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 220 of 568
Winthrop graduates 37 exercise science majors a year, well above this group of programs's 24-degree median, inside the College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences.
Winthrop University places 5th of 11 in South Carolina at 76.2, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $13,998 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 57% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 79% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 37 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level. Residency is worth $13,998 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $27,996 out-of-state rate.
- Combines didactic and experiential learning anchored in research
- Hosts the Julia H. Post Lecture series
- Feeds directly into the department's own graduate programs
- $13,998 in-state tuition, cheaper than 63% of peers
- Graduation rate
- 57%
- Admit rate
- 79%
- In-state tuition
- $13,998
- Out-of-state tuition
- $27,996
- Cost of attendance
- $32,894
- Undergrad enrollment
- 3,969
- Degrees conferred
- 37
View Winthrop University's Exercise Science, B.S. www.winthrop.edu
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Rank 6: Lander University
Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Greenwood, SC · Public · town campus · online option
Our score
6th of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 339 of 568
Choosing Lander's exercise science bachelor's trades a 50% graduation rate, five points under the median for the level, for $10,700 in-state tuition, well under half the median for the level cost of $25,000.
Lander University places 6th of 11 in South Carolina at 71.6, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $10,700 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 50% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one. It is also the only one here flagged in IPEDS as offering an online option.
It admits 81% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 40 bachelor's degrees a year, 9% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level. Residency is worth $9,600 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,300 out-of-state rate.
- In the Exercise Science and Human Performance department
- Online delivery option flagged by IPEDS
- Public university in Greenwood, South Carolina
- 40 exercise science degrees conferred a year
- $10,700 in-state tuition
- Graduation rate
- 50%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- In-state tuition
- $10,700
- Out-of-state tuition
- $20,300
- Cost of attendance
- $29,555
- Undergrad enrollment
- 3,776
- Degrees conferred
- 40
View Lander University's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.lander.edu
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Rank 7: University of South Carolina Aiken
Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science
Aiken, SC · Public · suburban campus
Our score
7th of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 390 of 568
USC Aiken backs its Exercise and Sports Science degree with 140 to 280 hours of required field experience and an Exercise Physiology Laboratory, but just 40% of its cohort graduates.
University of South Carolina Aiken places 7th of 11 in South Carolina at 69.8, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $10,398 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 40% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 79% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 44 bachelor's degrees a year, 10% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level. Residency is worth $10,458 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,856 out-of-state rate.
- 127 to 133 credit hours
- Six-credit internship in health and fitness management
- Research pathway in basic sciences
- Courses in electrocardiography and exercise prescription
- Graduation rate
- 40%
- Admit rate
- 79%
- In-state tuition
- $10,398
- Out-of-state tuition
- $20,856
- Cost of attendance
- $24,198
- Undergrad enrollment
- 3,289
- Degrees conferred
- 44
View University of South Carolina Aiken's Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science www.usca.edu
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Rank 8: Charleston Southern University
Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology
Charleston, SC · Private nonprofit · city campus
Our score
8th of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 516 of 568
Charleston Southern's Pre-Athletic Training Emphasis puts students on a five-year 3+2 track toward the Master of Athletic Training degree, provided they clear a 3.25 GPA and the GRE by junior year.
Charleston Southern University places 8th of 11 in South Carolina at 62.7, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $31,870 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 47% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 96% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 32 bachelor's degrees a year, 8% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level.
- 3+2.5 accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy dual-degree track
- NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam prep
- Clinical emphasis for PT, OT and PA pipelines
- 32 kinesiology degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 47%
- Admit rate
- 96%
- In-state tuition
- $31,870
- Out-of-state tuition
- $31,870
- Cost of attendance
- $47,790
- Undergrad enrollment
- 3,126
- Degrees conferred
- 32
View Charleston Southern University's Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology www.charlestonsouthern.edu
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Rank 9: Newberry College
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Newberry, SC · Private nonprofit · town campus
Our score
9th of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 517 of 568
Newberry's 65-hour Exercise Science major requires an internship and preps students for ACE, ACSM, NASM and NSCA certification exams, trading selectivity for a 90% admit rate.
Newberry College places 9th of 11 in South Carolina at 62.5, with 8 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $27,850 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 45% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 90% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 20 bachelor's degrees a year, 5% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level.
- Sport Management minor pairs accounting, marketing and sport psychology
- Coaching minor built on Physical Education and Sport Management courses
- 90-acre campus in Newberry, South Carolina
- Program chair must personally approve the practical placement
- Graduation rate
- 45%
- Admit rate
- 90%
- In-state tuition
- $27,850
- Out-of-state tuition
- $27,850
- Cost of attendance
- $48,550
- Undergrad enrollment
- 1,481
- Degrees conferred
- 20
View Newberry College's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.newberry.edu
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Rank 10: Southern Wesleyan University
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Central, SC · Private nonprofit · suburban campus
Our score
10th of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 520 of 568
Southern Wesleyan admits 100% of applicants, making it the least selective program in its group of comparable programs among peers and the single largest drag on its score.
Southern Wesleyan University places 10th of 11 in South Carolina at 62.4, with 9 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $27,800 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 52% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 100% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 5 bachelor's degrees a year, 1% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level.
- Curriculum aligned with ACSM, AACVPR, APTA and AOTA standards
- Eligible for SC Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship
- Faith-integrated wellness curriculum
- 5 exercise science degrees conferred a year
- Graduation rate
- 52%
- Admit rate
- 100%
- In-state tuition
- $27,800
- Out-of-state tuition
- $27,800
- Cost of attendance
- $43,451
- Undergrad enrollment
- 784
- Degrees conferred
- 5
View Southern Wesleyan University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.swu.edu
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Rank 11: Columbia College
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
Columbia, SC · Private nonprofit · city campus
Our score
11th of 11 in South Carolina
National rank 557 of 568
Columbia College's exercise science majors run VO2 max and blood lactate testing protocols typically reserved for graduate students, inside a program that graduates just eight majors a year.
Columbia College places 11th of 11 in South Carolina at 58.3, with 10 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $19,276 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $8,356 to $59,360. Its 37% graduation rate sits against a 37% to 79% spread across the 11 South Carolina schools that report one.
It admits 94% of applicants, against 23% to 100% across South Carolina. It confers 8 bachelor's degrees a year, 2% of the 424 awarded across South Carolina at this level.
- Body composition and functional movement assessment labs
- Minors in athletic coaching, public health, or psychology
- 2.5 minimum major GPA required for internship and graduation
- Located in South Carolina's capital city
- Pre-professional preparation for physical therapy and occupational therapy
- Graduation rate
- 37%
- Admit rate
- 94%
- In-state tuition
- $19,276
- Out-of-state tuition
- $19,276
- Cost of attendance
- $38,048
- Undergrad enrollment
- 1,391
- Degrees conferred
- 8
View Columbia College's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.columbiasc.edu
Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in South Carolina Compared
The same scores in one readout. Tuition is the published in-state rate before aid.
| # | School | City | Grad rate | Admit rate | In-state | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Furman University | Greenville | 79% | 43% | $59,360 | |
| 02 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston | 75% | 23% | $8,356 | |
| 03 | Bob Jones University | Greenville | 65% | $20,752 | | |
| 04 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway | 48% | 75% | $11,460 | |
| 05 | Winthrop University | Rock Hill | 57% | 79% | $13,998 | |
| 06 | Lander University | Greenwood | 50% | 81% | $10,700 | |
| 07 | University of South Carolina Aiken | Aiken | 40% | 79% | $10,398 | |
| 08 | Charleston Southern University | Charleston | 47% | 96% | $31,870 | |
| 09 | Newberry College | Newberry | 45% | 90% | $27,850 | |
| 10 | Southern Wesleyan University | Central | 52% | 100% | $27,800 | |
| 11 | Columbia College | Columbia | 37% | 94% | $19,276 | |
A blank cell means the institution did not file that figure with IPEDS.
What Kinesiology Careers Pay in South Carolina
Occupational medians for everyone in the job, not starting pay and not outcomes for any one program.
Exercise Physiologists in South Carolina
- South Carolina median
- $46,550
- vs national
- −$12,910
- Employed in SC
- 230
- 10th to 90th
- $32,100 – $64,420
Exercise Physiologists in South Carolina earn a median of $46,550, $12,910 below the national median of $59,460, across 230 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $32,100 and the top tenth clear $64,420, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.
Every South Carolina Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage
| Occupation | SC median | vs national | Jobs in SC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapists | $101,330 | −$1,430 | 3,930 |
| Occupational Therapists | $101,130 | +$800 | 1,840 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $70,500 | +$2,120 | 1,870 |
| Athletic Trainers | $59,240 | −$3,280 | 530 |
| Recreational Therapists | $48,880 | −$13,080 | 190 |
| Exercise Physiologists | $46,550 | −$12,910 | 230 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $43,630 | −$3,530 | 5,130 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,950 | −$4,370 | 3,310 |
Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for South Carolina, Physical Therapists pays the most at $101,330 ($1,430 below its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 5,130 jobs in the state paying a median of $43,630. 2 of the 8 with a national comparison pay above their national medians here.
Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in South Carolina
This page ranks bachelor's programs only. South Carolina 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 South Carolina’s own BLS medians where published.
- Physical Therapist$101,330 median in South Carolina · needs doctoral degree
- Occupational Therapist$101,130 median in South Carolina · needs master's degree
- Physical Therapist Assistant$70,500 median in South Carolina · reachable at this level
- Athletic Trainer$59,240 median in South Carolina · needs master's degree
- Recreational Therapist$48,880 median in South Carolina · reachable at this level
- Exercise Physiologist$46,550 median in South Carolina · reachable at this level
- Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$43,630 median in South Carolina · reachable at this level
- Coach or Scout$42,950 median in South 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 South 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
Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs Near South Carolina
The same ranking, filtered to one state at a time. The number is how many programs that state ranks.