Kinesiology Degree Programs

Illinois · Master's ranking

Best Kinesiology Master's Programs in Illinois

5 master's programs in exercise science and kinesiology, ranked on graduation rate, admissions selectivity, in-state cost, and field outcomes.

Last updated

Programs ranked
5
In-state tuition
$9,848 to $36,430
Avg graduation rate
50%
Median wage (BLS)
$59,460

What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Illinois 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 Illinois. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads the state with a score of 93.8, which is national rank 7 out of 177. One of the 5 also lands in the national top 25.

In-state tuition runs from $9,848 to $36,430 across the 5 programs with a published rate. The 5 schools with a published graduation rate average 50%. Average admit rate across the 5 schools publishing one is 71%. Together they conferred 258 master's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

3 of the 5 are public institutions and 2 are private. 2 are flagged as offering an online option.

All 5 Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Illinois, 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: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Teacher Education: Kinesiology - Physical Education (K-12)

    Champaign, IL · Public · city campus

    Our score

    1st of 5 in Illinois

    National rank 7 of 177

    Choosing the K-12 teacher-certification path trades a modest $40,577 average starting salary for an 85% rate of graduates employed or in further study.

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leads Illinois at 93.8, ahead of the other 4 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $14,975 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $9,848 to $36,430. Its 85% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 85% spread across the 5 Illinois schools that report one. It admits 42% of applicants, against 42% to 93% across Illinois.

    It confers 13 master's degrees a year, 5% of the 258 awarded across Illinois at this level. Residency is worth $21,829 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $36,804 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 7th of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.

    • Required student teaching placement
    • Core coursework in biomechanics and motor learning
    • 39% of graduates continue to graduate school
    • Employer placements include Cerner Corporation
    Graduation rate
    85%
    Admit rate
    42%
    In-state tuition
    $14,975
    Out-of-state tuition
    $36,804
    Cost of attendance
    $34,226
    Undergrad enrollment
    37,140
    Degrees conferred
    13

    View University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Teacher Education: Kinesiology - Physical Education (K-12) www.illinois.edu

  2. Rank 2: Aurora University

    Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Aurora, IL · Private nonprofit · suburban campus · online option

    Our score

    2nd of 5 in Illinois

    National rank 105 of 177

    Aurora suits a student prioritizing program scale, with 20 kinesiology master's degrees conferred a year landing at the 82nd percentile among peers, over campus size or admissions rarity.

    Aurora University places 2nd of 5 in Illinois at 71.2, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $28,800 is above the state midpoint, where the published range runs $9,848 to $36,430. Its 60% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 85% spread across the 5 Illinois schools that report one.

    It admits 81% of applicants, against 42% to 93% across Illinois. It confers 20 master's degrees a year, 8% of the 258 awarded across Illinois at this level.

    • 81% admission rate
    • $28,800 annual tuition
    • Online option flagged in IPEDS
    Graduation rate
    60%
    Admit rate
    81%
    In-state tuition
    $28,800
    Out-of-state tuition
    $28,800
    Cost of attendance
    $47,460
    Undergrad enrollment
    4,106
    Degrees conferred
    20

    aurora.edu

  3. Rank 3: Eastern Illinois University

    Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Charleston, IL · Public · town campus

    Our score

    3rd of 5 in Illinois

    National rank 114 of 177

    Selective admission is the draw at Eastern Illinois, where a 65% admit rate ranks at the 76th percentile among peers, even though graduation rate sits at just the 17th percentile.

    Eastern Illinois University places 3rd of 5 in Illinois at 69.7, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $9,848 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $9,848 to $36,430. Its 47% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 85% spread across the 5 Illinois schools that report one.

    It admits 65% of applicants, against 42% to 93% across Illinois. It confers 12 master's degrees a year, 5% of the 258 awarded across Illinois at this level. Residency is worth $2,482 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $12,330 out-of-state rate.

    • 47% graduation rate
    • 12 degrees conferred a year
    • Public, town campus
    Graduation rate
    47%
    Admit rate
    65%
    In-state tuition
    $9,848
    Out-of-state tuition
    $12,330
    Cost of attendance
    $28,055
    Undergrad enrollment
    6,785
    Degrees conferred
    12

    www.eiu.edu

  4. Rank 4: Northeastern Illinois University

    Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science

    Chicago, IL · Public · city campus

    Our score

    4th of 5 in Illinois

    National rank 132 of 177

    Northeastern Illinois built its Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science around two concentrations, Exercise Science and Physical Education, Sport, and Recreation, across 30 required credit hours.

    Northeastern Illinois University places 4th of 5 in Illinois at 66.8, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $10,343 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $9,848 to $36,430. Its 22% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 85% spread across the 5 Illinois schools that report one.

    It admits 75% of applicants, against 42% to 93% across Illinois. It confers 11 master's degrees a year, 4% of the 258 awarded across Illinois at this level. Residency is worth $10,343 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,686 out-of-state rate.

    • Directed research, independent study or thesis options
    • Large alumni network supports internships and career ties
    • Admits for fall and spring terms
    • In-state tuition of $10,343 a year
    Graduation rate
    22%
    Admit rate
    75%
    In-state tuition
    $10,343
    Out-of-state tuition
    $20,686
    Cost of attendance
    $30,460
    Undergrad enrollment
    4,226
    Degrees conferred
    11

    View Northeastern Illinois University's Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Science www.neiu.edu

  5. Rank 5: Concordia University-Chicago

    Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    River Forest, IL · Private nonprofit · suburban campus · online option

    Our score

    5th of 5 in Illinois

    National rank 165 of 177

    Concordia Chicago confers 202 exercise-science-related degrees a year, more than any of its 177 peer master's programs, while its 36% graduation rate sits at the 5th percentile of that same group.

    Concordia University-Chicago places 5th of 5 in Illinois at 60.3, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $36,430 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $9,848 to $36,430. Its 36% graduation rate sits against a 22% to 85% spread across the 5 Illinois schools that report one.

    It admits 93% of applicants, against 42% to 93% across Illinois. It confers 202 master's degrees a year, 78% of the 258 awarded across Illinois at this level.

    • Private nonprofit in River Forest, Illinois
    • 1,368 undergraduate enrollment
    • online option flagged in IPEDS
    Graduation rate
    36%
    Admit rate
    93%
    In-state tuition
    $36,430
    Out-of-state tuition
    $36,430
    Cost of attendance
    $51,598
    Undergrad enrollment
    1,368
    Degrees conferred
    202

    View Concordia University-Chicago's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.cuchicago.edu

Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in Illinois 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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign 85% 42% $14,975
02 Aurora University Aurora 60% 81% $28,800
03 Eastern Illinois University Charleston 47% 65% $9,848
04 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago 22% 75% $10,343
05 Concordia University-Chicago River Forest 36% 93% $36,430

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Illinois

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

Exercise Physiologists in Illinois

Illinois median
$60,130
vs national
+$670
Employed in IL
300
10th to 90th
$50,220 – $84,020

Exercise Physiologists in Illinois earn a median of $60,130, $670 above the national median of $59,460, across 300 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $50,220 and the top tenth clear $84,020, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Illinois Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation IL median vs national Jobs in IL
Physical Therapists $105,250 +$2,490 9,800
Occupational Therapists $99,700 −$630 7,710
Physical Therapist Assistants $65,240 −$3,140 4,890
Athletic Trainers $64,750 +$2,230 850
Exercise Physiologists $60,130 +$670 300
Recreational Therapists $54,910 −$7,050 440
Coaches and Scouts $49,120 +$1,800 8,840
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $46,800 −$360 19,830

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Illinois, Physical Therapists pays the most at $105,250 ($2,490 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 19,830 jobs in the state paying a median of $46,800. 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 Illinois

This page ranks master's programs only. Illinois 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 Illinois’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 Illinois, 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 Illinois

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