Best PhD in Kinesiology in Florida (2026)

Programs ranked: 1
In-state tuition: $4,478
Avg graduation rate: 78%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Florida Cost and Who Gets In

We scored all 39 doctoral programs in exercise science and kinesiology (CIP 31.0505) on the same weighted model, then pulled the single highest scoring in Florida. University of Central Florida leads the state with a score of 83, which is national rank 10 out of 39. One of the 1 also lands in the national top 25.

In-state tuition is $4,478 at the one program here. The one school with a published graduation rate reports 78%. The one school publishing an admit rate reports 40%. Together they conferred 1 research doctorates in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

The one program here is at a public institution. None carry an online flag in IPEDS, so plan on attending in person.

The PhD in Kinesiology Program in Florida, 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 Central Florida

Ph.D. in Kinesiology

Orlando, FL · Public · suburban campus

Our score

1st of 1 in Florida

National rank 10 of 39

UCF admits its Kinesiology PhD once a year and requires 63 credit hours beyond the master's, including 15 dissertation hours, yielding just one doctoral degree annually against a median for the level of 5.

University of Central Florida is the only doctoral program in Florida in this ranking, scoring 83. In-state tuition is $4,478, the only rate published in Florida at this level. It admits 40% of applicants.
It confers 1 research doctorates a year. Residency is worth $15,332 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $19,810 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 10th of the 39 doctoral programs scored at this level.
- 24 credit hours of research core courses
- Faculty mentor contact required before applying
- Partners with UCF Sports Science Initiative
- $4,478 in-state tuition
Graduation rate

78%

Admit rate

40%

In-state tuition

$4,478

Out-of-state tuition

$19,810

Cost of attendance

$25,250

Undergrad enrollment

59,552

Degrees conferred

1

View University of Central Florida's Ph.D. in Kinesiology www.ucf.edu

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Florida

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

Exercise Physiologists in Florida

Florida median: $60,100
vs national: +$640
Employed in FL: 330
10th to 90th: $47,800 – $88,070

Exercise Physiologists in Florida earn a median of $60,100, $640 above the national median of $59,460, across 330 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $47,800 and the top tenth clear $88,070, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Florida Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	FL median	vs national	Jobs in FL
Physical Therapists	$101,040	−$1,720	16,290
Occupational Therapists	$99,360	−$970	10,650
Physical Therapist Assistants	$72,530	+$4,150	9,870
Athletic Trainers	$61,350	−$1,170	1,430
Exercise Physiologists	$60,100	+$640	330
Recreational Therapists	$57,980	−$3,980	640
Coaches and Scouts	$39,370	−$7,950	18,120
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$38,800	−$8,360	18,070

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Florida, Physical Therapists pays the most at $101,040 ($1,720 below its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Coaches and Scouts, at 18,120 jobs in the state paying a median of $39,370. 2 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 Florida

This page ranks doctoral programs only. Florida 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 PhD in Kinesiology?

These 8 occupations list this credential, or less, as their typical entry requirement. Figures are Florida’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 Florida, 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

PhD in Kinesiology Programs Near Florida

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

Best Kinesiology Doctoral Programs in Florida