2 Best Master's in Kinesiology Programs in New Jersey

Programs ranked: 2
In-state tuition: $14,790 to $15,204
Avg graduation rate: 55%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in New Jersey 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 New Jersey. Montclair State University leads the state with a score of 73.8, which is national rank 89 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 $14,790 to $15,204 across the 2 programs with a published rate. The 2 schools with a published graduation rate average 55%. Average admit rate across the 2 schools publishing one is 89%. Together they conferred 22 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 New Jersey, 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: Montclair State University

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Montclair, NJ · Public · suburban campus

Our score

1st of 2 in New Jersey

National rank 89 of 177

Montclair drops the GRE requirement entirely and runs its Kinesiology master's in evening and hybrid sessions, aimed squarely at working professionals rather than full-time researchers.

Montclair State University leads New Jersey at 73.8, ahead of the one other program ranked here. In-state tuition of $14,790 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $14,790 to $15,204. Its 65% graduation rate sits against a 44% to 65% spread across the 2 New Jersey schools that report one. It admits 88% of applicants, against 88% to 90% across New Jersey.
It confers 16 master's degrees a year, 73% of the 22 awarded across New Jersey at this level. Residency is worth $10,110 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $24,900 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 89th of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.
- Human Performance Laboratory training included
- Choice of internship or research capstone
- 33 credits completed over two years
- Concentrations in Exercise & Sport Science or Sport Administration
Graduation rate

65%

Admit rate

88%

In-state tuition

$14,790

Out-of-state tuition

$24,900

Cost of attendance

$37,452

Undergrad enrollment

18,712

Degrees conferred

16

View MSU's Master of Science in Kinesiology www.montclair.edu
Rank 2: William Paterson University of New Jersey

MS in Athletic Training

Wayne, NJ · Public · suburban campus

Our score

2nd of 2 in New Jersey

National rank 162 of 177

William Paterson's MS in Athletic Training requires 38 credits built around four semesters of clinical rotations with a WP-approved preceptor, capped by a fully immersive fall semester in year two.

William Paterson University of New Jersey places 2nd of 2 in New Jersey at 61.6, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $15,204 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $14,790 to $15,204. Its 44% graduation rate sits against a 44% to 65% spread across the 2 New Jersey schools that report one.
It admits 90% of applicants, against 88% to 90% across New Jersey. It confers 6 master's degrees a year, 27% of the 22 awarded across New Jersey at this level. Residency is worth $9,640 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $24,844 out-of-state rate.
- ATCAS application required
- 3.0 minimum GPA requirement
- CAATE outcomes reporting
- 44% graduation rate
Graduation rate

44%

Admit rate

90%

In-state tuition

$15,204

Out-of-state tuition

$24,844

Cost of attendance

$36,710

Undergrad enrollment

6,647

Degrees conferred

6

View William Paterson University of New Jersey's MS in Athletic Training www.wpunj.edu

Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in New Jersey 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	Montclair State University	Montclair	65%	88%	$14,790
02	William Paterson University of New Jersey	Wayne	44%	90%	$15,204

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in New Jersey

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

Exercise Physiologists in New Jersey

New Jersey median: $64,680
vs national: +$5,220
Employed in NJ: 130
10th to 90th: $55,620 – $79,290

Exercise Physiologists in New Jersey earn a median of $64,680, $5,220 above the national median of $59,460, across 130 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $55,620 and the top tenth clear $79,290, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every New Jersey Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	NJ median	vs national	Jobs in NJ
Physical Therapists	$112,140	+$9,380	9,750
Occupational Therapists	$103,410	+$3,080	6,290
Physical Therapist Assistants	$78,440	+$10,060	1,810
Coaches and Scouts	$76,700	+$29,380	5,670
Athletic Trainers	$76,210	+$13,690	890
Exercise Physiologists	$64,680	+$5,220	130
Recreational Therapists	$60,400	−$1,560	430
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$59,870	+$12,710	11,350

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for New Jersey, Physical Therapists pays the most at $112,140 ($9,380 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 11,350 jobs in the state paying a median of $59,870. 7 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 New Jersey

This page ranks master's programs only. New Jersey 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 New Jersey’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 New Jersey, 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey