2 Best PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Georgia

Programs ranked: 2
In-state tuition: $7,344 to $10,034
Avg graduation rate: 72%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Georgia 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 2 highest scoring in Georgia. University of Georgia leads the state with a score of 90.7, which is national rank 4 out of 39. 2 of the 2 also land in the national top 25.

In-state tuition runs from $7,344 to $10,034 across the 2 programs with a published rate. The 2 schools with a published graduation rate average 72%. Average admit rate across the 2 schools publishing one is 47%. Together they conferred 9 research doctorates in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

All 2 are public institutions. None carry an online flag in IPEDS, so plan on attending in person.

All 2 PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Georgia, 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 Georgia

Ph.D. in Kinesiology

Athens, GA · Public · city campus

Our score

1st of 2 in Georgia

National rank 4 of 39

Applicants aiming for faculty or research careers across biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor behavior or sport management policy should shortlist this PhD, which admits at a selective 38% rate.

University of Georgia leads Georgia at 90.7, ahead of the one other program ranked here. In-state tuition of $10,034 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $7,344 to $10,034. Its 90% graduation rate sits against a 53% to 90% spread across the 2 Georgia schools that report one. It admits 38% of applicants, against 38% to 55% across Georgia.
It confers 5 research doctorates a year, 56% of the 9 awarded across Georgia at this level. Residency is worth $20,238 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $30,272 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 4th of the 39 doctoral programs scored at this level.
- Interdisciplinary study spans biological, behavioral, physical sciences
- Housed in Mary Frances Early College of Education
- 90% graduation rate
- $10,034 in-state tuition
Graduation rate

90%

Admit rate

38%

In-state tuition

$10,034

Out-of-state tuition

$30,272

Cost of attendance

$28,872

Undergrad enrollment

32,399

Degrees conferred

5

View University of Georgia's Ph.D. in Kinesiology www.uga.edu
Rank 2: Georgia State University

Ph.D. in Kinesiology

Atlanta, GA · Public · city campus

Our score

2nd of 2 in Georgia

National rank 23 of 39

Georgia State's graduation rate of 53% lands in just the 16th percentile of doctoral kinesiology peers, the deepest single cut to its score of anything the model measures.

Georgia State University places 2nd of 2 in Georgia at 68.6, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,344 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $7,344 to $10,034. Its 53% graduation rate sits against a 53% to 90% spread across the 2 Georgia schools that report one.
It admits 55% of applicants, against 38% to 55% across Georgia. It confers 4 research doctorates a year, 44% of the 9 awarded across Georgia at this level. Residency is worth $16,176 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $23,520 out-of-state rate.
- Six concentrations, including Sport Administration and PETE
- Rehabilitation Science limited to enrolled DPT students
- Seven dedicated kinesiology research labs
- 55% admit rate
- 61 semester-hour minimum (varies by concentration)
Graduation rate

53%

Admit rate

55%

In-state tuition

$7,344

Out-of-state tuition

$23,520

Cost of attendance

$29,166

Undergrad enrollment

27,415

Degrees conferred

4

View GSU's Ph.D. in Kinesiology www.gsu.edu

Every PhD in Kinesiology Program in Georgia 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	University of Georgia	Athens	90%	38%	$10,034
02	Georgia State University	Atlanta	53%	55%	$7,344

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Georgia

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

Exercise Physiologists in Georgia

Georgia median: $58,170
vs national: −$1,290
Employed in GA: 210
10th to 90th: $44,980 – $80,510

Exercise Physiologists in Georgia earn a median of $58,170, $1,290 below the national median of $59,460, across 210 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $44,980 and the top tenth clear $80,510, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Georgia Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	GA median	vs national	Jobs in GA
Occupational Therapists	$104,010	+$3,680	3,650
Physical Therapists	$102,700	−$60	6,780
Physical Therapist Assistants	$72,800	+$4,420	2,620
Athletic Trainers	$64,590	+$2,070	860
Exercise Physiologists	$58,170	−$1,290	210
Recreational Therapists	$52,010	−$9,950	530
Coaches and Scouts	$48,210	+$890	4,510
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$47,150	−$10	7,500

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Georgia, Occupational Therapists pays the most at $104,010 ($3,680 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 7,500 jobs in the state paying a median of $47,150. 4 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 Georgia

This page ranks doctoral programs only. Georgia 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 Georgia’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 Georgia, 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 Georgia

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

Best Kinesiology Doctoral Programs in Georgia