Best PhD in Kinesiology in Indiana (2026)

Programs ranked: 1
In-state tuition: $10,622
Avg graduation rate: 80%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Indiana 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 Indiana. Indiana University-Bloomington leads the state with a score of 77.7, which is national rank 17 out of 39. One of the 1 also lands in the national top 25.

In-state tuition is $10,622 at the one program here. The one school with a published graduation rate reports 80%. The one school publishing an admit rate reports 78%. Together they conferred 6 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 Indiana, 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: Indiana University-Bloomington

Doctorate (research) in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Bloomington, IN · Public · city campus

Our score

1st of 1 in Indiana

National rank 17 of 39

Indiana admits 78% of applicants, roughly in line with the field at this level's median, trading selectivity for an 80% graduation rate that beats that same group's 75% standard.

Indiana University-Bloomington is the only doctoral program in Indiana in this ranking, scoring 77.7. In-state tuition is $10,622, the only rate published in Indiana at this level. It admits 78% of applicants.
It confers 6 research doctorates a year. Residency is worth $29,747 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $40,369 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 17th of the 39 doctoral programs scored at this level.
- Five tracks include Biomechanics and Motor Control
- Thesis option aimed at future doctoral students
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required for the degree
- Minimum 35 credit hours to complete
Graduation rate

80%

Admit rate

78%

In-state tuition

$10,622

Out-of-state tuition

$40,369

Cost of attendance

$30,602

Undergrad enrollment

38,093

Degrees conferred

6

View Indiana University-Bloomington's Doctorate (research) in Exercise Science and Kinesiology bloomington.iu.edu

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Indiana

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

Exercise Physiologists in Indiana

Indiana median: $49,740
vs national: −$9,720
Employed in IN: 310
10th to 90th: $34,060 – $71,130

Exercise Physiologists in Indiana earn a median of $49,740, $9,720 below the national median of $59,460, across 310 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $34,060 and the top tenth clear $71,130, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Indiana Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	IN median	vs national	Jobs in IN
Physical Therapists	$101,560	−$1,200	6,130
Occupational Therapists	$97,020	−$3,310	3,830
Physical Therapist Assistants	$65,280	−$3,100	2,830
Athletic Trainers	$62,780	+$260	1,040
Recreational Therapists	$53,770	−$8,190	190
Exercise Physiologists	$49,740	−$9,720	310
Coaches and Scouts	$44,480	−$2,840	5,960
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$34,960	−$12,200	5,360

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Indiana, Physical Therapists pays the most at $101,560 ($1,200 below its national median). It is also the largest of the 8 by employment, at 6,130 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 Indiana

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

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

Best Kinesiology Doctoral Programs in Indiana