2 Best Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Massachusetts

Programs ranked: 2
In-state tuition: $43,230 to $49,352
Avg graduation rate: 58%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. Merrimack College leads the state with a score of 81.6, which is national rank 36 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 $43,230 to $49,352 across the 2 programs with a published rate. The 2 schools with a published graduation rate average 58%. Average admit rate across the 2 schools publishing one is 85%. Together they conferred 37 master's degrees in the field in the latest IPEDS completions year.

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

All 2 Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Massachusetts, 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: Merrimack College

Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.)

North Andover, MA · Private nonprofit · suburban campus

Our score

1st of 2 in Massachusetts

National rank 36 of 177

Merrimack's five-year direct-entry M.S.A.T. guarantees a clinical placement and BOC exam prep, but locks candidates into flat $49,352 tuition whether they live in Massachusetts or out of state.

Merrimack College leads Massachusetts at 81.6, ahead of the one other program ranked here. In-state tuition of $49,352 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $43,230 to $49,352. Its 70% graduation rate sits against a 46% to 70% spread across the 2 Massachusetts schools that report one.
It admits 70% of applicants, against 70% to 100% across Massachusetts. It confers 35 master's degrees a year, 95% of the 37 awarded across Massachusetts at this level. Nationally it is 36th of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.
- CAATE-accredited curriculum
- Guaranteed hospital and D1 team internships
- 80 required credit hours
- Prepares graduates for BOC certification
- 35 degrees conferred yearly
Graduation rate

70%

Admit rate

70%

In-state tuition

$49,352

Out-of-state tuition

$49,352

Cost of attendance

$78,687

Undergrad enrollment

4,102

Degrees conferred

35

View Merrimack College's Master of Science in Athletic Training (M.S.A.T.) www.merrimack.edu
Rank 2: American International College

Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance

Springfield, MA · Private nonprofit · city campus

Our score

2nd of 2 in Massachusetts

National rank 177 of 177

AIC's online Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance offers an optional one-week residency with metabolic and body composition testing gear, alongside a 100% admit rate, the least selective in its group of comparable programs.

American International College places 2nd of 2 in Massachusetts at 53.6, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $43,230 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $43,230 to $49,352. Its 46% graduation rate sits against a 46% to 70% spread across the 2 Massachusetts schools that report one.
It admits 100% of applicants, against 70% to 100% across Massachusetts. It confers 2 master's degrees a year, 5% of the 37 awarded across Massachusetts at this level.
- NSCA CSCS exam eligibility for graduates
- Separate fee for outside professionals
- Launched alongside a public health master's
- $43,230 tuition, in state or out
Graduation rate

46%

Admit rate

100%

In-state tuition

$43,230

Out-of-state tuition

$43,230

Cost of attendance

$64,050

Undergrad enrollment

1,207

Degrees conferred

2

View American International College's Master of Science in Sport and Human Performance www.aic.edu

Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in Massachusetts 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	Merrimack College	North Andover	70%	70%	$49,352
02	American International College	Springfield	46%	100%	$43,230

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Massachusetts

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

Exercise Physiologists in Massachusetts

Massachusetts median: $65,950
vs national: +$6,490
Employed in MA: 180
10th to 90th: $60,060 – $97,370

Exercise Physiologists in Massachusetts earn a median of $65,950, $6,490 above the national median of $59,460, across 180 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $60,060 and the top tenth clear $97,370, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Massachusetts Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	MA median	vs national	Jobs in MA
Physical Therapists	$103,790	+$1,030	6,850
Occupational Therapists	$100,930	+$600	6,510
Physical Therapist Assistants	$79,460	+$11,080	2,640
Athletic Trainers	$70,010	+$7,490	630
Exercise Physiologists	$65,950	+$6,490	180
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$64,620	+$17,460	9,200
Recreational Therapists	$62,820	+$860	210
Coaches and Scouts	$55,130	+$7,810	6,310

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Massachusetts, Physical Therapists pays the most at $103,790 ($1,030 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 9,200 jobs in the state paying a median of $64,620. All 8 with a national comparison pay above their national medians here.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in Massachusetts

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

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 Massachusetts