2 Best Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Iowa

Programs ranked: 2
In-state tuition: $8,564 to $9,252
Avg graduation rate: 72%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Iowa 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 2 highest scoring in Iowa. Iowa State University leads the state with a score of 78.8, which is national rank 51 out of 177. 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 $8,564 to $9,252 across the 2 programs with a published rate. The 2 schools with a published graduation rate average 72%. Average admit rate across the 2 schools publishing one is 91%. Together they conferred 15 master's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

All 2 are public institutions. None carry an online flag in IPEDS, so plan on attending in person.

All 2 Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Iowa, 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: Iowa State University

Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Ames, IA · Public · city campus

Our score

1st of 2 in Iowa

National rank 51 of 177

Iowa State suits an applicant who wants a large research university and broad admission odds, an 89% admit rate, over a small, highly selective cohort.

Iowa State University leads Iowa at 78.8, ahead of the one other program ranked here. In-state tuition of $9,252 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $8,564 to $9,252. Its 75% graduation rate sits against a 68% to 75% spread across the 2 Iowa schools that report one. It admits 89% of applicants, against 89% to 93% across Iowa.
It confers 4 master's degrees a year, 27% of the 15 awarded across Iowa at this level. Residency is worth $18,094 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $27,346 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 51st of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.
- 18-credit exercise science minor curriculum
- Includes a dedicated exercise physiology lab
- Electives include basic athletic training
- Housed in Department of Kinesiology and Health
- $9,252 in-state tuition
Graduation rate

75%

Admit rate

89%

In-state tuition

$9,252

Out-of-state tuition

$27,346

Cost of attendance

$24,695

Undergrad enrollment

25,628

Degrees conferred

4

View ISU's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.iastate.edu
Rank 2: University of Northern Iowa

Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Cedar Falls, IA · Public · city campus

Our score

2nd of 2 in Iowa

National rank 97 of 177

Beyond the classroom, UNI backs its kinesiology graduate work with a hydrotherapy room, a research lab, and the university's only human cadaver lab, which helps explain a graduation rate ten points above median for the level.

University of Northern Iowa places 2nd of 2 in Iowa at 72.9, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,564 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $8,564 to $9,252. Its 68% graduation rate sits against a 68% to 75% spread across the 2 Iowa schools that report one.
It admits 93% of applicants, against 89% to 93% across Iowa. It confers 11 master's degrees a year, 73% of the 15 awarded across Iowa at this level. Residency is worth $11,776 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,340 out-of-state rate.
- Field placements with Division I teams and area clinics
- Graduate offerings include Master of Athletic Training and Leadership in Physical Education
- 93% admit rate
- 68% graduation rate
Graduation rate

68%

Admit rate

93%

In-state tuition

$8,564

Out-of-state tuition

$20,340

Cost of attendance

$23,372

Undergrad enrollment

7,711

Degrees conferred

11

View University of Northern Iowa's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.uni.edu

Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in Iowa 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	Iowa State University	Ames	75%	89%	$9,252
02	University of Northern Iowa	Cedar Falls	68%	93%	$8,564

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Iowa

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

Exercise Physiologists in Iowa

Iowa median: $56,640
vs national: −$2,820
Employed in IA: 50
10th to 90th: $45,190 – $75,530

Exercise Physiologists in Iowa earn a median of $56,640, $2,820 below the national median of $59,460, across 50 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $45,190 and the top tenth clear $75,530, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Iowa Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	IA median	vs national	Jobs in IA
Physical Therapists	$97,560	−$5,200	2,530
Occupational Therapists	$89,910	−$10,420	1,290
Physical Therapist Assistants	$61,030	−$7,350	1,060
Exercise Physiologists	$56,640	−$2,820	50
Recreational Therapists	$56,140	−$5,820	230
Athletic Trainers	$55,430	−$7,090	570
Coaches and Scouts	$49,350	+$2,030	3,410
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$36,160	−$11,000	2,510

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Iowa, Physical Therapists pays the most at $97,560 ($5,200 below its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Coaches and Scouts, at 3,410 jobs in the state paying a median of $49,350. 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 Iowa

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

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

Best Kinesiology Master's Programs in Iowa