- Programs ranked
- 5
- In-state tuition
- $6,084 to $45,300
- Avg graduation rate
- 68%
- Median wage (BLS)
- $59,460
What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in California Cost and Who Gets In
We scored all 177 master's programs in exercise science and kinesiology (CIP 31.0505) on the same weighted model, then pulled the 5 highest scoring in California. San Diego State University leads the state with a score of 92.3, which is national rank 11 out of 177. 2 of the 5 also land in the national top 25.
In-state tuition runs from $6,084 to $45,300 across the 5 programs with a published rate. The 5 schools with a published graduation rate average 68%. Average admit rate across the 5 schools publishing one is 69%. Together they conferred 129 master's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.
2 of the 5 are public institutions and 3 are private. One is flagged as offering an online option.
All 5 Master's in Kinesiology Programs in California, 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.
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Rank 1: San Diego State University
M.S. in Kinesiology
San Diego, CA · Public · city campus
Our score
1st of 5 in California
National rank 11 of 177
Two concentrations, Biomechanics and Motor Control or Physical Activity, define the M.S. in Kinesiology, each layered onto shared coursework in data analysis and scientific communication.
San Diego State University leads California at 92.3, ahead of the other 4 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $6,084 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $45,300. Its 76% graduation rate sits against a 56% to 77% spread across the 5 California schools that report one. It admits 36% of applicants, against 36% to 93% across California.
It confers 8 master's degrees a year, 6% of the 129 awarded across California at this level. Residency is worth $12,600 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $18,684 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 11th of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.
- Behavioral science and theory coursework foundation
- Program outcomes framed around equity and inclusion
- Prepares graduates for academic and industry roles
- 36% admit rate
- Graduation rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 36%
- In-state tuition
- $6,084
- Out-of-state tuition
- $18,684
- Cost of attendance
- $36,090
- Undergrad enrollment
- 35,782
- Degrees conferred
- 8
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Rank 2: California State University-Long Beach
Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Long Beach, CA · Public · city campus
Our score
2nd of 5 in California
National rank 22 of 177
A 46% admit rate and decades-old exchange partnerships in Wales and Ireland make Long Beach's kinesiology graduate program a trade of selectivity for a small annual cohort of just 5 degrees.
California State University-Long Beach places 2nd of 5 in California at 87.8, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $6,084 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $45,300. Its 69% graduation rate sits against a 56% to 77% spread across the 5 California schools that report one.
It admits 46% of applicants, against 36% to 93% across California. It confers 5 master's degrees a year, 4% of the 129 awarded across California at this level. Residency is worth $12,600 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $18,684 out-of-state rate.
- Exchange with Cardiff Metropolitan University since 1984
- Fall and spring exchange with University of Limerick
- Offers BS, MA and MS in kinesiology
- 69% graduation rate
- $6,084 annual in-state tuition
- Graduation rate
- 69%
- Admit rate
- 46%
- In-state tuition
- $6,084
- Out-of-state tuition
- $18,684
- Cost of attendance
- $28,970
- Undergrad enrollment
- 36,082
- Degrees conferred
- 5
View California State University-Long Beach's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.csulb.edu
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Rank 3: Point Loma Nazarene University
Master of Science in Kinesiology, Biomechanics Concentration
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus
Our score
3rd of 5 in California
National rank 38 of 177
Candidates chasing a fast, lab-heavy route into pro sports biomechanics should look hard at PLNU's one-year concentration, which includes fieldwork with the San Diego Padres organization.
Point Loma Nazarene University places 3rd of 5 in California at 81.4, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $45,300 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $45,300. Its 77% graduation rate sits against a 56% to 77% spread across the 5 California schools that report one.
It admits 84% of applicants, against 36% to 93% across California. It confers 47 master's degrees a year, 36% of the 129 awarded across California at this level.
- PLNU x Padres Biomechanics Lab
- Aligned with ISBS standards
- Prepares for NSCA's CPSS credential
- 12-month accelerated format
- 47 degrees conferred yearly
- Graduation rate
- 77%
- Admit rate
- 84%
- In-state tuition
- $45,300
- Out-of-state tuition
- $45,300
- Cost of attendance
- $65,410
- Undergrad enrollment
- 3,246
- Degrees conferred
- 47
View Point Loma Nazarene University's Master of Science in Kinesiology, Biomechanics Concentration www.pointloma.edu
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Rank 4: California Baptist University
Exercise Physiology, M.S.
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit · city campus
Our score
4th of 5 in California
National rank 74 of 177
California Baptist's MS in Exercise Physiology graduates 63 students a year, seven times the nine-degree median for the level, enough to land in the 97th percentile for volume among master's exercise science programs.
California Baptist University places 4th of 5 in California at 76.1, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $39,078 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $45,300. Its 62% graduation rate sits against a 56% to 77% spread across the 5 California schools that report one.
It admits 85% of applicants, against 36% to 93% across California. It confers 63 master's degrees a year, 49% of the 129 awarded across California at this level.
- Coursework aligned to ACSM and NSCA guidelines
- Faith-integrated Christian worldview curriculum
- Cardiac, immune and muscle-function testing lab
- 12 to 18 month completion track
- Graduation rate
- 62%
- Admit rate
- 85%
- In-state tuition
- $39,078
- Out-of-state tuition
- $39,078
- Cost of attendance
- $58,878
- Undergrad enrollment
- 8,417
- Degrees conferred
- 63
View California Baptist University's Exercise Physiology, M.S. www.calbaptist.edu
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Rank 5: William Jessup University
Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology
Rocklin, CA · Private nonprofit · suburban campus · online option
Our score
5th of 5 in California
National rank 144 of 177
William Jessup's total cost of attendance runs $56,264 a year, yet only 12.5% of its peer master's programs charge more.
William Jessup University places 5th of 5 in California at 65, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $36,000 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $6,084 to $45,300. Its 56% graduation rate sits against a 56% to 77% spread across the 5 California schools that report one.
It is also the only one here flagged in IPEDS as offering an online option. It admits 93% of applicants, against 36% to 93% across California. It confers 6 master's degrees a year, 5% of the 129 awarded across California at this level.
- Private nonprofit university in Rocklin, California
- 1,317 undergraduate enrollment
- online option flagged in IPEDS
- Graduation rate
- 56%
- Admit rate
- 93%
- In-state tuition
- $36,000
- Out-of-state tuition
- $36,000
- Cost of attendance
- $56,264
- Undergrad enrollment
- 1,317
- Degrees conferred
- 6
View William Jessup University's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.jessup.edu
Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in California 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 | San Diego State University | San Diego | 76% | 36% | $6,084 | |
| 02 | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach | 69% | 46% | $6,084 | |
| 03 | Point Loma Nazarene University | San Diego | 77% | 84% | $45,300 | |
| 04 | California Baptist University | Riverside | 62% | 85% | $39,078 | |
| 05 | William Jessup University | Rocklin | 56% | 93% | $36,000 | |
A blank cell means the institution did not file that figure with IPEDS.
What Kinesiology Careers Pay in California
Occupational medians for everyone in the job, not starting pay and not outcomes for any one program.
Exercise Physiologists in California
- California median
- $62,440
- vs national
- +$2,980
- Employed in CA
- 640
- 10th to 90th
- $36,970 – $106,290
Exercise Physiologists in California earn a median of $62,440, $2,980 above the national median of $59,460, across 640 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $36,970 and the top tenth clear $106,290, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.
Every California Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage
| Occupation | CA median | vs national | Jobs in CA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapists | $124,510 | +$24,180 | 13,810 |
| Physical Therapists | $124,190 | +$21,430 | 26,580 |
| Recreational Therapists | $98,170 | +$36,210 | 1,920 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 | +$14,730 | 9,400 |
| Athletic Trainers | $78,490 | +$15,970 | 1,760 |
| Exercise Physiologists | $62,440 | +$2,980 | 640 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | +$10,830 | 43,600 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | +$340 | 31,150 |
Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for California, Occupational Therapists pays the most at $124,510 ($24,180 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 43,600 jobs in the state paying a median of $57,990. All 8 with a national comparison pay above their national medians here.
Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in California
This page ranks master's programs only. California 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 Master's in Kinesiology?
These 7 occupations list this credential, or less, as their typical entry requirement. The other 1 need further study, and each page says what. Figures are California’s own BLS medians where published.
- Occupational Therapist$124,510 median in California · reachable at this level
- Physical Therapist$124,190 median in California · needs doctoral degree
- Recreational Therapist$98,170 median in California · reachable at this level
- Physical Therapist Assistant$83,110 median in California · reachable at this level
- Athletic Trainer$78,490 median in California · reachable at this level
- Exercise Physiologist$62,440 median in California · reachable at this level
- Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$57,990 median in California · reachable at this level
- Coach or Scout$47,660 median in California · reachable at this level
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 California, 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
Master's in Kinesiology Programs Near California
The same ranking, filtered to one state at a time. The number is how many programs that state ranks.