Kinesiology Degree Programs

Kentucky · Master's ranking

Best Kinesiology Master's Programs in Kentucky

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

Last updated

Programs ranked
2
In-state tuition
$10,020 to $10,704
Avg graduation rate
51%
Median wage (BLS)
$59,460

What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Kentucky 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 Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University leads the state with a score of 73.7, which is national rank 91 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 $10,020 to $10,704 across the 2 programs with a published rate. The 2 schools with a published graduation rate average 51%. Average admit rate across the 2 schools publishing one is 73%. Together they conferred 36 master's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

All 2 are public institutions. One is flagged as offering an online option.

All 2 Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Kentucky, 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: Northern Kentucky University

    Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Highland Heights, KY · Public · suburban campus · online option

    Our score

    1st of 2 in Kentucky

    National rank 91 of 177

    Northern Kentucky's Human Performance Laboratory runs physiological and biomechanical testing, research, and consultation for outside clients, not just an in-house teaching space.

    Northern Kentucky University leads Kentucky at 73.7, ahead of the one other program ranked here. In-state tuition of $10,704 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $10,020 to $10,704. Its 52% graduation rate sits against a 50% to 52% spread across the 2 Kentucky schools that report one. It is also the only one here flagged in IPEDS as offering an online option.

    It admits 68% of applicants, against 68% to 78% across Kentucky. It confers 13 master's degrees a year, 36% of the 36 awarded across Kentucky at this level. Residency is worth $10,824 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $21,528 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 91st of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.

    • Suburban Cincinnati-region campus
    • Online option flagged in IPEDS
    • 68% admit rate
    • 13 kinesiology degrees conferred a year
    Graduation rate
    52%
    Admit rate
    68%
    In-state tuition
    $10,704
    Out-of-state tuition
    $21,528
    Cost of attendance
    $27,100
    Undergrad enrollment
    10,163
    Degrees conferred
    13

    View Northern Kentucky University's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.nku.edu

  2. Rank 2: Eastern Kentucky University

    Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Science

    Richmond, KY · Public · town campus

    Our score

    2nd of 2 in Kentucky

    National rank 115 of 177

    Working professionals wanting online or hybrid scheduling and a choice between athletic training and sports administration tracks should shortlist Eastern Kentucky, priced at $10,020 in-state, exactly this group of programs's median.

    Eastern Kentucky University places 2nd of 2 in Kentucky at 69.6, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $10,020 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $10,020 to $10,704. Its 50% graduation rate sits against a 50% to 52% spread across the 2 Kentucky schools that report one.

    It admits 78% of applicants, against 68% to 78% across Kentucky. It confers 23 master's degrees a year, 64% of the 36 awarded across Kentucky at this level. Residency is worth $10,910 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,930 out-of-state rate.

    • Year-round accelerated course terms
    • No graduate application fee
    • Discounted textbooks through EKU BookSmart
    • 23 degrees conferred each year
    Graduation rate
    50%
    Admit rate
    78%
    In-state tuition
    $10,020
    Out-of-state tuition
    $20,930
    Cost of attendance
    $26,238
    Undergrad enrollment
    13,448
    Degrees conferred
    23

    View Eastern Kentucky University's Master of Science in Exercise & Sport Science www.eku.edu

Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights 52% 68% $10,704
02 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond 50% 78% $10,020

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Kentucky

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

Exercise Physiologists in Kentucky

Kentucky median
$51,070
vs national
−$8,390
Employed in KY
60
10th to 90th
$45,960 – $64,810

Exercise Physiologists in Kentucky earn a median of $51,070, $8,390 below the national median of $59,460, across 60 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $45,960 and the top tenth clear $64,810, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Kentucky Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation KY median vs national Jobs in KY
Physical Therapists $100,710 −$2,050 3,390
Occupational Therapists $97,650 −$2,680 2,190
Physical Therapist Assistants $61,480 −$6,900 2,580
Athletic Trainers $60,680 −$1,840 720
Recreational Therapists $59,240 −$2,720 100
Exercise Physiologists $51,070 −$8,390 60
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $45,280 −$1,880 1,990
Coaches and Scouts $35,570 −$11,750 2,800

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Kentucky, Physical Therapists pays the most at $100,710 ($2,050 below its national median). It is also the largest of the 8 by employment, at 3,390 jobs in the state. None of the 8 with a national comparison pays above its national median here, which is the single most useful thing to know before committing to staying in Kentucky.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in Kentucky

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

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