Kinesiology Degree Programs

Pennsylvania · Doctoral ranking

Best Kinesiology Doctoral Programs in Pennsylvania

1 doctoral program in exercise science and kinesiology, ranked on graduation rate, admissions selectivity, in-state cost, and field outcomes.

Last updated

Programs ranked
1
In-state tuition
$20,066
Avg graduation rate
86%
Median wage (BLS)
$59,460

What PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus leads the state with a score of 84, which is national rank 9 out of 39. One of the 1 also lands in the national top 25.

In-state tuition is $20,066 at the one program here. The one school with a published graduation rate reports 86%. The one school publishing an admit rate reports 61%. Together they conferred 7 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 Pennsylvania, 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.

  1. Rank 1: Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

    Kinesiology

    University Park, PA · Public · city campus

    Our score

    1st of 1 in Pennsylvania

    National rank 9 of 39

    A large-scale campus of over 50,000 students and an 86% graduation rate make Penn State's doctorate a fit for candidates who want scale and completion odds over the tightest admissions numbers.

    Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is the only doctoral program in Pennsylvania in this ranking, scoring 84. In-state tuition is $20,066, the only rate published in Pennsylvania at this level. It admits 61% of applicants.

    It confers 7 research doctorates a year. Residency is worth $21,146 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $41,212 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 9th of the 39 doctoral programs scored at this level.

    • Public four-year university
    • University Park city campus
    • 61% undergraduate admit rate
    Graduation rate
    86%
    Admit rate
    61%
    In-state tuition
    $20,066
    Out-of-state tuition
    $41,212
    Cost of attendance
    $41,338
    Undergrad enrollment
    42,604
    Degrees conferred
    7

    View PSU's Kinesiology www.psu.edu

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Pennsylvania

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

Exercise Physiologists in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania median
$48,040
vs national
−$11,420
Employed in PA
640
10th to 90th
$38,900 – $67,820

Exercise Physiologists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $48,040, $11,420 below the national median of $59,460, across 640 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $38,900 and the top tenth clear $67,820, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Pennsylvania Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation PA median vs national Jobs in PA
Physical Therapists $101,380 −$1,380 11,710
Occupational Therapists $98,440 −$1,890 6,560
Physical Therapist Assistants $62,580 −$5,800 4,270
Athletic Trainers $61,060 −$1,460 1,870
Recreational Therapists $58,940 −$3,020 720
Coaches and Scouts $48,730 +$1,410 8,170
Exercise Physiologists $48,040 −$11,420 640
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $45,250 −$1,910 11,580

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Pennsylvania, Physical Therapists pays the most at $101,380 ($1,380 below its national median). It is also the largest of the 8 by employment, at 11,710 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 Pennsylvania

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

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