Best PhD in Kinesiology in Wisconsin (2026)

Programs ranked: 1
In-state tuition: $10,006
Avg graduation rate: 90%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What PhD in Kinesiology Programs in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin-Madison leads the state with a score of 90.6, which is national rank 5 out of 39. One of the 1 also lands in the national top 25.

In-state tuition is $10,006 at the one program here. The one school with a published graduation rate reports 90%. The one school publishing an admit rate reports 45%. Together they conferred 5 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin-Madison

Doctorate (research) in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Madison, WI · Public · city campus

Our score

1st of 1 in Wisconsin

National rank 5 of 39

Wisconsin's Kinesiology department separates this research doctorate from its undergraduate Certificate in Athletic Healthcare, and backs it with a 90% graduation rate against a 75% median across the 39 programs at this level.

University of Wisconsin-Madison is the only doctoral program in Wisconsin in this ranking, scoring 90.6. In-state tuition is $10,006, the only rate published in Wisconsin at this level. It admits 45% of applicants.
It confers 5 research doctorates a year. Residency is worth $30,500 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $40,506 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 5th of the 39 doctoral programs scored at this level.
- Certificate in Athletic Healthcare requires 14 credits
- Housed in the School of Education
- BS in Athletic Training students excluded from certificate
- 45% admit rate
Graduation rate

90%

Admit rate

45%

In-state tuition

$10,006

Out-of-state tuition

$40,506

Cost of attendance

$30,005

Undergrad enrollment

38,040

Degrees conferred

5

View University of Wisconsin-Madison's Doctorate (research) in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.wisc.edu

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Wisconsin

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

Exercise Physiologists in Wisconsin

Wisconsin median: $63,210
vs national: +$3,750
Employed in WI: 340
10th to 90th: $55,100 – $77,320

Exercise Physiologists in Wisconsin earn a median of $63,210, $3,750 above the national median of $59,460, across 340 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $55,100 and the top tenth clear $77,320, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Wisconsin Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	WI median	vs national	Jobs in WI
Physical Therapists	$101,840	−$920	5,580
Occupational Therapists	$92,390	−$7,940	3,710
Physical Therapist Assistants	$64,080	−$4,300	1,650
Exercise Physiologists	$63,210	+$3,750	340
Athletic Trainers	$61,820	−$700	620
Recreational Therapists	$59,350	−$2,610	350
Coaches and Scouts	$44,800	−$2,520	5,480
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$44,200	−$2,960	6,330

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Wisconsin, Physical Therapists pays the most at $101,840 ($920 below its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 6,330 jobs in the state paying a median of $44,200. 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 Wisconsin

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

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

Best Kinesiology Doctoral Programs in Wisconsin