2 Best PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Mississippi

Programs ranked: 2
In-state tuition: $9,612 to $9,888
Avg graduation rate: 61%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Mississippi 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 Mississippi. University of Mississippi leads the state with a score of 63.5, which is national rank 31 out of 39. None of the 2 crack the national top 25, so read the scores below rather than assuming a national reputation.

In-state tuition runs from $9,612 to $9,888 across the 2 programs with a published rate. The 2 schools with a published graduation rate average 61%. Average admit rate across the 2 schools publishing one is 98%. Together they conferred 6 research doctorates in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

All 2 are public institutions. One is flagged as offering an online option.

All 2 PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Mississippi, 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 Mississippi

Doctorate (research) in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

University, MS · Public · town campus

Our score

1st of 2 in Mississippi

National rank 31 of 39

Ole Miss's 97% admit rate, the 3rd percentile for selectivity among 39 peer doctoral programs, suits applicants who want near-certain entry into hands-on exercise physiology lab research over a highly selective admissions filter.

University of Mississippi leads Mississippi at 63.5, ahead of the one other program ranked here. In-state tuition of $9,612 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $9,612 to $9,888. Its 72% graduation rate sits against a 49% to 72% spread across the 2 Mississippi schools that report one. It admits 97% of applicants, against 97% to 99% across Mississippi.
It confers 5 research doctorates a year, 83% of the 6 awarded across Mississippi at this level. Residency is worth $18,828 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $28,440 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 31st of the 39 doctoral programs scored at this level.
- Exercise, Nutrition, and Performance Lab research base
- Lab studies physiological demands of Esports athletes
- Faculty seat on campus Esports Advisory Committee
- In-state tuition of $9,612
- 72% graduation rate
Graduation rate

72%

Admit rate

97%

In-state tuition

$9,612

Out-of-state tuition

$28,440

Cost of attendance

$30,272

Undergrad enrollment

21,585

Degrees conferred

5

View University of Mississippi's Doctorate (research) in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.olemiss.edu
Rank 2: University of Southern Mississippi

PhD in Kinesiology

Hattiesburg, MS · Public · city campus · online option

Our score

2nd of 2 in Mississippi

National rank 39 of 39

Southern Miss ties its 54-hour PhD in Kinesiology to advisor-driven research hours candidates complete directly in their faculty mentor's lab, alongside a required writing sample for admission.

University of Southern Mississippi places 2nd of 2 in Mississippi at 53.6, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $9,888 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $9,612 to $9,888. Its 49% graduation rate sits against a 49% to 72% spread across the 2 Mississippi schools that report one. It is also the only one here flagged in IPEDS as offering an online option.
It admits 99% of applicants, against 97% to 99% across Mississippi. It confers 1 research doctorates a year, 17% of the 6 awarded across Mississippi at this level. Residency is worth $2,000 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $11,888 out-of-state rate.
- 99% acceptance rate
- About one kinesiology PhD awarded per year
- Rotating grant-writing and research-tools seminars
- Named faculty advisors listed for direct contact
- Housed in the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition
Graduation rate

49%

Admit rate

99%

In-state tuition

$9,888

Out-of-state tuition

$11,888

Cost of attendance

$27,860

Undergrad enrollment

10,193

Degrees conferred

1

View University of Southern Mississippi's PhD in Kinesiology www.usm.edu

Every PhD in Kinesiology Program in Mississippi 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 Mississippi	University	72%	97%	$9,612
02	University of Southern Mississippi	Hattiesburg	49%	99%	$9,888

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Mississippi

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

Exercise Physiologists in Mississippi

Mississippi median: $43,060
vs national: −$16,400
Employed in MS: 30
10th to 90th: $34,980 – $93,640

Exercise Physiologists in Mississippi earn a median of $43,060, $16,400 below the national median of $59,460, across 30 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $34,980 and the top tenth clear $93,640, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Mississippi Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	MS median	vs national	Jobs in MS
Physical Therapists	$99,990	−$2,770	1,980
Occupational Therapists	$94,930	−$5,400	1,340
Physical Therapist Assistants	$61,770	−$6,610	1,150
Athletic Trainers	$58,180	−$4,340	200
Exercise Physiologists	$43,060	−$16,400	30
Recreational Therapists	$39,560	−$22,400	140
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$30,540	−$16,620	1,260

Of the 7 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Mississippi, Physical Therapists pays the most at $99,990 ($2,770 below its national median). It is also the largest of the 7 by employment, at 1,980 jobs in the state. None of the 7 with a national comparison pays above its national median here, which is the single most useful thing to know before committing to staying in Mississippi.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in Mississippi

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

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

Best Kinesiology Doctoral Programs in Mississippi