Kinesiology Degree Programs

West Virginia · Bachelor's ranking

Best Kinesiology Bachelor's Programs in West Virginia

7 bachelor's programs in exercise science and kinesiology, ranked on graduation rate, admissions selectivity, in-state cost, and field outcomes.

Last updated

Programs ranked
7
In-state tuition
$6,746 to $32,648
Avg graduation rate
48%
Median wage (BLS)
$59,460

What Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in West Virginia 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 7 highest scoring in West Virginia. West Virginia University leads the state with a score of 75.5, which is national rank 229 out of 568. None of the 7 crack the national top 25, so read the scores below rather than assuming a national reputation.

In-state tuition runs from $6,746 to $32,648 across the 7 programs with a published rate. The 7 schools with a published graduation rate average 48%. Average admit rate across the 7 schools publishing one is 90%. Together they conferred 140 bachelor's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

4 of the 7 are public institutions and 3 are private. None carry an online flag in IPEDS, so plan on attending in person.

All 7 Bachelor's in Kinesiology Programs in West Virginia, 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. Rank 1: West Virginia University

    Exercise Physiology, B.S.

    Morgantown, WV · Public · city campus

    Our score

    1st of 7 in West Virginia

    National rank 229 of 568

    West Virginia's Exercise Physiology BS is one of a few undergraduate programs offering both a performing arts medicine and an aquatic therapy specialization, taught inside the School of Medicine's Health Sciences Center.

    West Virginia University leads West Virginia at 75.5, ahead of the other 6 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $10,104 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,746 to $32,648. Its 65% graduation rate sits against a 23% to 65% spread across the 7 West Virginia schools that report one. It admits 89% of applicants, against 63% to 99% across West Virginia.

    It confers 10 bachelor's degrees a year, 7% of the 140 awarded across West Virginia at this level. Residency is worth $18,504 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $28,608 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 229th of the 568 bachelor's programs scored at this level.

    • Aquatic Therapy Clinic run by seniors
    • Gross Anatomy cadaver lab access
    • Required senior internship or research course
    • Strength Lab for Olympic weightlifting instruction
    Graduation rate
    65%
    Admit rate
    89%
    In-state tuition
    $10,104
    Out-of-state tuition
    $28,608
    Cost of attendance
    $31,716
    Undergrad enrollment
    18,206
    Degrees conferred
    10

    View West Virginia University's Exercise Physiology, B.S. www.wvu.edu

  2. Rank 2: Wheeling University

    Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Wheeling, WV · Private nonprofit · city campus

    Our score

    2nd of 7 in West Virginia

    National rank 423 of 568

    Wheeling's exercise science students end with a Problem Based Learning course built on real life, whole-person scenarios, but graduation rate sits at the 2nd percentile among peers.

    Wheeling University places 2nd of 7 in West Virginia at 68.4, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $29,090 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,746 to $32,648. Its 23% graduation rate sits against a 23% to 65% spread across the 7 West Virginia schools that report one.

    It admits 63% of applicants, against 63% to 99% across West Virginia. It confers 17 bachelor's degrees a year, 12% of the 140 awarded across West Virginia at this level.

    • Draws on three prior years
    • Students set own case objectives
    • Small private nonprofit campus
    • 63% admit rate
    • $45,777 total cost of attendance
    Graduation rate
    23%
    Admit rate
    63%
    In-state tuition
    $29,090
    Out-of-state tuition
    $29,090
    Cost of attendance
    $45,777
    Undergrad enrollment
    619
    Degrees conferred
    17

    View Wheeling University's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.wheeling.edu

  3. Rank 3: Marshall University

    Exercise Science, B.S.

    Huntington, WV · Public · city campus

    Our score

    3rd of 7 in West Virginia

    National rank 449 of 568

    Marshall trades a wide-open 96% admit rate, the softest selectivity mark among its peers, for hands-on training in the Marshall University Exercise Physiology Laboratories and its on-site clinical work with the community.

    Marshall University places 3rd of 7 in West Virginia at 67.3, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,568 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,746 to $32,648. Its 51% graduation rate sits against a 23% to 65% spread across the 7 West Virginia schools that report one.

    It admits 96% of applicants, against 63% to 99% across West Virginia. It confers 34 bachelor's degrees a year, 24% of the 140 awarded across West Virginia at this level. Residency is worth $11,180 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $18,748 out-of-state rate.

    • Two emphases: Clinical and Applied Exercise Physiology
    • Small class sizes with direct faculty access
    • ACSM gold-level Exercise is Medicine on Campus recognition
    • Required internship in applied or clinical exercise physiology
    Graduation rate
    51%
    Admit rate
    96%
    In-state tuition
    $7,568
    Out-of-state tuition
    $18,748
    Cost of attendance
    $27,754
    Undergrad enrollment
    9,146
    Degrees conferred
    34

    View Marshall University's Exercise Science, B.S. www.marshall.edu

  4. Rank 4: West Liberty University

    Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology

    West Liberty, WV · Public · rural campus

    Our score

    4th of 7 in West Virginia

    National rank 453 of 568

    West Liberty's score of 66.9 compares to Marshall University's 67.3 despite a stronger 60% graduation rate here than Marshall's 51%, because a wide-open 97% admit rate holds the mark down.

    West Liberty University places 4th of 7 in West Virginia at 66.9, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,877 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,746 to $32,648. Its 60% graduation rate sits against a 23% to 65% spread across the 7 West Virginia schools that report one.

    It admits 97% of applicants, against 63% to 99% across West Virginia. It confers 24 bachelor's degrees a year, 17% of the 140 awarded across West Virginia at this level. Residency is worth $8,549 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $17,426 out-of-state rate.

    • CAAHEP- and ACSM-aligned curriculum
    • On-site lab with a metabolic cart and ECG
    • 100% internship pass rate
    • ACSM Exercise is Medicine on Campus recognition
    Graduation rate
    60%
    Admit rate
    97%
    In-state tuition
    $8,877
    Out-of-state tuition
    $17,426
    Cost of attendance
    $26,835
    Undergrad enrollment
    1,934
    Degrees conferred
    24

    View West Liberty University's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology www.westliberty.edu

  5. Rank 5: West Virginia Wesleyan College

    Exercise Science, B.S.

    Buckhannon, WV · Private nonprofit · town campus

    Our score

    5th of 7 in West Virginia

    National rank 502 of 568

    West Virginia Wesleyan's Exercise Science B.S. can fold into a 5-Year Master of Athletic Training, a CAATE-accredited add-on that leaves graduates eligible to sit for the Board of Certification exam.

    West Virginia Wesleyan College places 5th of 7 in West Virginia at 63.7, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $32,648 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $6,746 to $32,648. Its 57% graduation rate sits against a 23% to 65% spread across the 7 West Virginia schools that report one.

    It admits 93% of applicants, against 63% to 99% across West Virginia. It confers 9 bachelor's degrees a year, 6% of the 140 awarded across West Virginia at this level.

    • Health and Human Performance track
    • Pre-medicine option for PT, chiro, pharmacy
    • Research and thesis exposure required
    • Faculty based in campus Gym building
    Graduation rate
    57%
    Admit rate
    93%
    In-state tuition
    $32,648
    Out-of-state tuition
    $32,648
    Cost of attendance
    $52,143
    Undergrad enrollment
    971
    Degrees conferred
    9

    View West Virginia Wesleyan College's Exercise Science, B.S. www.wvwc.edu

  6. Rank 6: Fairmont State University

    Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science

    Fairmont, WV · Public · town campus

    Our score

    6th of 7 in West Virginia

    National rank 541 of 568

    Fairmont State's Exercise Science major splits into three concentrations, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, and Allied Health, and every student finishes with an internship inside a health or fitness facility.

    Fairmont State University places 6th of 7 in West Virginia at 61.1, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $6,746 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $6,746 to $32,648. Its 44% graduation rate sits against a 23% to 65% spread across the 7 West Virginia schools that report one.

    It admits 99% of applicants, against 63% to 99% across West Virginia. It confers 41 bachelor's degrees a year, 29% of the 140 awarded across West Virginia at this level. Residency is worth $10,004 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $16,750 out-of-state rate.

    • Exercise Science minor for non-majors
    • Kinesiology concentration requires an added minor
    • Direct pathway into Fairmont's Exercise Science M.Ed.
    • $6,746 in-state tuition
    • 41 degrees conferred yearly
    Graduation rate
    44%
    Admit rate
    99%
    In-state tuition
    $6,746
    Out-of-state tuition
    $16,750
    Cost of attendance
    $23,364
    Undergrad enrollment
    3,088
    Degrees conferred
    41

    View FSU's Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science www.fairmontstate.edu

  7. Rank 7: Davis & Elkins College

    Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Elkins, WV · Private nonprofit · town campus

    Our score

    7th of 7 in West Virginia

    National rank 565 of 568

    Davis & Elkins College fits a candidate who wants an athletic-training emphasis inside a fully equipped training suite, complete with a Game Ready cold-compression system, three e-stim units, and two therapeutic whirlpools.

    Davis & Elkins College places 7th of 7 in West Virginia at 56.2, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $30,840 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,746 to $32,648. Its 39% graduation rate sits against a 23% to 65% spread across the 7 West Virginia schools that report one.

    It admits 94% of applicants, against 63% to 99% across West Virginia. It confers 5 bachelor's degrees a year, 4% of the 140 awarded across West Virginia at this level.

    • Choice of athletic-training, pre-PT, or academic-minor track
    • Pool and CYBEX-equipped fitness center at the Hermason Center
    • Free-weight area for strength training
    • Required internship under professional supervision
    • $30,840 flat annual tuition
    Graduation rate
    39%
    Admit rate
    94%
    In-state tuition
    $30,840
    Out-of-state tuition
    $30,840
    Cost of attendance
    $47,865
    Undergrad enrollment
    661
    Degrees conferred
    5

    View Davis & Elkins College's Bachelor's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.dewv.edu

Every Bachelor's in Kinesiology Program in West Virginia 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 West Virginia University Morgantown 65% 89% $10,104
02 Wheeling University Wheeling 23% 63% $29,090
03 Marshall University Huntington 51% 96% $7,568
04 West Liberty University West Liberty 60% 97% $8,877
05 West Virginia Wesleyan College Buckhannon 57% 93% $32,648
06 Fairmont State University Fairmont 44% 99% $6,746
07 Davis & Elkins College Elkins 39% 94% $30,840

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in West Virginia

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

Exercise Physiologists in West Virginia

West Virginia median
$50,270
vs national
−$9,190
Employed in WV
60
10th to 90th
$47,290 – $75,400

Exercise Physiologists in West Virginia earn a median of $50,270, $9,190 below the national median of $59,460, across 60 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $47,290 and the top tenth clear $75,400, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every West Virginia Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation WV median vs national Jobs in WV
Physical Therapists $96,600 −$6,160 1,310
Occupational Therapists $96,190 −$4,140 700
Physical Therapist Assistants $60,430 −$7,950 980
Coaches and Scouts $52,050 +$4,730 910
Athletic Trainers $50,510 −$12,010 110
Exercise Physiologists $50,270 −$9,190 60
Recreational Therapists $49,010 −$12,950 130
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $38,120 −$9,040 500

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for West Virginia, Physical Therapists pays the most at $96,600 ($6,160 below its national median). It is also the largest of the 8 by employment, at 1,310 jobs in the state. 1 of the 8 with a national comparison pays above its national median here.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in West Virginia

This page ranks bachelor's programs only. West Virginia 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 West Virginia’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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia

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