Best PhD in Kinesiology in Minnesota (2026)

Programs ranked: 1
In-state tuition: $25,600
Avg graduation rate: 46%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Minnesota 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 Minnesota. Concordia University-Saint Paul leads the state with a score of 62.1, which is national rank 32 out of 39. It does not crack the national top 25, so read the score below rather than assuming a national reputation.

In-state tuition is $25,600 at the one program here. The one school with a published graduation rate reports 46%. The one school publishing an admit rate reports 79%. Together they conferred 10 research doctorates in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

The one program here is at a private institution. One is flagged as offering an online option.

The PhD in Kinesiology Program in Minnesota, 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: Concordia University-Saint Paul

Doctorate (research) in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Saint Paul, MN · Private nonprofit · city campus · online option

Our score

1st of 1 in Minnesota

National rank 32 of 39

Concordia University-St. Paul charges $25,600 flat tuition per year, more than all but about 11% of these 39 comparable programs, yet still produces 10 exercise science doctorates annually, well above the group's 5-degree median.

Concordia University-Saint Paul is the only doctoral program in Minnesota in this ranking, scoring 62.1. In-state tuition is $25,600, the only rate published in Minnesota at this level. It admits 79% of applicants.
It confers 10 research doctorates a year. Nationally it is 32nd of the 39 doctoral programs scored at this level.
- Fully online delivery via Risepoint partnership
- 33-credit M.S. Exercise Science curriculum
- Capstone project replaces thesis requirement
- Optional graduate study-abroad course
- 79% admit rate
Graduation rate

46%

Admit rate

79%

In-state tuition

$25,600

Out-of-state tuition

$25,600

Cost of attendance

$45,532

Undergrad enrollment

3,424

Degrees conferred

10

View Concordia University-Saint Paul's Doctorate (research) in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.csp.edu

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Minnesota

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

Exercise Physiologists in Minnesota

Minnesota median: $67,230
vs national: +$7,770
Employed in MN: 250
10th to 90th: $61,640 – $95,140

Exercise Physiologists in Minnesota earn a median of $67,230, $7,770 above the national median of $59,460, across 250 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $61,640 and the top tenth clear $95,140, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Minnesota Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	MN median	vs national	Jobs in MN
Physical Therapists	$102,010	−$750	5,180
Occupational Therapists	$93,050	−$7,280	3,670
Recreational Therapists	$76,360	+$14,400	250
Exercise Physiologists	$67,230	+$7,770	250
Physical Therapist Assistants	$66,770	−$1,610	1,230
Athletic Trainers	$65,390	+$2,870	820
Coaches and Scouts	$48,050	+$730	4,680
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$43,620	−$3,540	7,010

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Minnesota, Physical Therapists pays the most at $102,010 ($750 below its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 7,010 jobs in the state paying a median of $43,620. 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 Minnesota

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

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

Best Kinesiology Doctoral Programs in Minnesota