Best Kinesiology Master's Programs in Texas

What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Texas Cost and Who Gets In

All 12 Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Texas, 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. 01

   Rank 1: Texas A&M University-College Station

   M.S. in Nutrition and Kinesiology (Dual Degree)

   College Station, TX · Public · city campus

   Our score

   92.7

   1st of 12 in Texas

   National rank 9 of 177

   Students planning to sit for both the CSCS and RCEP national exams, not just one, fit the dual 36-credit-hour Nutrition and Kinesiology track built to award two master's degrees at once.

   Texas A&M University-College Station leads Texas at 92.7, ahead of the other 11 programs ranked here. In-state tuition of $9,092 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 84% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one. It admits 57% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas.

   It confers 19 master's degrees a year, 9% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level. Residency is worth $27,077 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $36,169 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 9th of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.

   • Clinical Emphasis and Sport Emphasis tracks
   • Thesis and non-thesis options
   • GraduateCAS application via Dual NUTR/KINE portal
   • Path toward Board Certification in Sports Dietetics

   Graduation rate

   84%

   Admit rate

   57%

   In-state tuition

   $9,092

   Out-of-state tuition

   $36,169

   Cost of attendance

   $33,876

   Undergrad enrollment

   60,710

   Degrees conferred

   19

   View Texas A&M University-College Station's M.S. in Nutrition and Kinesiology (Dual Degree) www.tamu.edu

2. 02

   Rank 2: Baylor University

   M.S. in Exercise Physiology

   Waco, TX · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   89

   2nd of 12 in Texas

   National rank 19 of 177

   A $58,100 annual tuition, the same for in-state and out-of-state students, funds a faith-integrated exercise physiology master's carrying Baylor's own Carnegie STEM classification.

   Baylor University places 2nd of 12 in Texas at 89, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $58,100 is in the dearer quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 80% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

   It admits 51% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 10 master's degrees a year, 4% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level.

   • Human Anatomy and Physiology plus Chemistry prerequisite
   • Careers span Clinical Research Assistant to Gym Manager
   • Program mission integrates Christian faith with research
   • $78,816 total cost of attendance

   Graduation rate

   80%

   Admit rate

   51%

   In-state tuition

   $58,100

   Out-of-state tuition

   $58,100

   Cost of attendance

   $78,816

   Undergrad enrollment

   14,915

   Degrees conferred

   10

   View Baylor University's M.S. in Exercise Physiology www.baylor.edu

3. 03

   Rank 3: Texas Christian University

   Master of Science in Kinesiology

   Fort Worth, TX · Private nonprofit · city campus

   Our score

   86.3

   3rd of 12 in Texas

   National rank 25 of 177

   Seven emphasis areas, from biomechanics to sport psychology, set Texas Christian's master's apart from Baylor's 89 and Texas Tech's 84.3, both scoring lower among Texas's kinesiology master's programs.

   Texas Christian University places 3rd of 12 in Texas at 86.3, with 2 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $61,650 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 86% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

   It admits 44% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 3 master's degrees a year, 1% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level.

   • Emphasis options include motor control and nutrition
   • Teacher-scholar faculty model
   • Graduates enter physical therapy and occupational therapy programs
   • 44% admit rate
   • 3 degrees conferred a year

   Graduation rate

   86%

   Admit rate

   44%

   In-state tuition

   $61,650

   Out-of-state tuition

   $61,650

   Cost of attendance

   $83,662

   Undergrad enrollment

   11,049

   Degrees conferred

   3

   View Texas Christian University's Master of Science in Kinesiology www.tcu.edu

4. 04

   Rank 4: University of Houston

   Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

   Houston, TX · Public · city campus

   Our score

   81.3

   4th of 12 in Texas

   National rank 41 of 177

   University of Houston matches Parker University's score exactly despite enrolling twenty times as many students, since this Kinesiology line confers just one degree a year.

   University of Houston places 4th of 12 in Texas at 81.3, with 3 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,685 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 65% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

   It admits 74% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 1 master's degrees a year, 0% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level. Residency is worth $12,830 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $21,515 out-of-state rate.

   • Laboratory of Integrative Physiology
   • Faculty in the American College of Sports Medicine
   • $8,685 in-state tuition
   • 74% admit rate
   • Research on aging, cancer, and diabetes

   Graduation rate

   65%

   Admit rate

   74%

   In-state tuition

   $8,685

   Out-of-state tuition

   $21,515

   Cost of attendance

   $27,761

   Undergrad enrollment

   39,257

   Degrees conferred

   1

   View University of Houston's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.uh.edu

5. 05

   Rank 5: Parker University

   Master of Science in Strength and Human Performance

   Dallas, TX · Private nonprofit · city campus · online option

   Our score

   81.3

   5th of 12 in Texas

   National rank 42 of 177

   Parker's M.S. in Strength and Human Performance pairs a fully online CASCE-accredited curriculum with a required 300-hour in-person internship at a training facility the program helps you secure.

   Parker University places 5th of 12 in Texas at 81.3, with 4 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $26,208 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650.

   Its 74% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one. It confers 36 master's degrees a year, 16% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level.

   • Prepares for NSCA's CSCS credential
   • Advisory board includes Kelly Starrett
   • CASCE accreditation required for CSCS by 2030
   • $26,208 flat annual tuition
   • 36 degrees conferred yearly

   Graduation rate

   74%

   In-state tuition

   $26,208

   Out-of-state tuition

   $26,208

   Undergrad enrollment

   621

   Degrees conferred

   36

   View Parker University's Master of Science in Strength and Human Performance www.parker.edu

6. 06

   Rank 6: University of North Texas

   Master of Science in Kinesiology

   Denton, TX · Public · city campus

   Our score

   80.8

   6th of 12 in Texas

   National rank 45 of 177

   A 72% admit rate for UNT's Kinesiology master's puts it in the top third of selectivity among the 177 master's programs scored nationally, the single largest lever behind its score.

   University of North Texas places 6th of 12 in Texas at 80.8, with 5 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $8,319 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 61% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

   It admits 72% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 28 master's degrees a year, 13% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level. Residency is worth $9,840 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $18,159 out-of-state rate.

   • Concentrations in exercise physiology, pedagogy, and psychology
   • Feeds three collaborative doctoral programs
   • 36 required credit hours
   • $8,319 in-state tuition
   • On-campus format

   Graduation rate

   61%

   Admit rate

   72%

   In-state tuition

   $8,319

   Out-of-state tuition

   $18,159

   Cost of attendance

   $27,711

   Undergrad enrollment

   34,458

   Degrees conferred

   28

   View University of North Texas' Master of Science in Kinesiology www.unt.edu

7. 07

   Rank 7: The University of Texas at San Antonio

   M.S. in Kinesiology

   San Antonio, TX · Public · city campus

   Our score

   74

   7th of 12 in Texas

   National rank 87 of 177

   UT San Antonio's kinesiology graduate program runs on 11 research labs and 2 teaching labs spanning biomechanics, motor control and sport psychology.

   The University of Texas at San Antonio places 7th of 12 in Texas at 74, with 6 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $6,266 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 53% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

   It admits 87% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 22 master's degrees a year, 10% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level. Residency is worth $12,923 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $19,189 out-of-state rate.

   • Grad students earn credit as faculty research assistants
   • Research areas include molecular exercise physiology and immunology
   • 35,770 total enrollment across all levels
   • 22 kinesiology master's degrees awarded annually

   Graduation rate

   53%

   Admit rate

   87%

   In-state tuition

   $6,266

   Out-of-state tuition

   $19,189

   Cost of attendance

   $27,925

   Undergrad enrollment

   31,127

   Degrees conferred

   22

   View University of Texas at San Antonio's M.S. in Kinesiology www.utsa.edu

8. 08

   Rank 8: East Texas Baptist University

   Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

   Marshall, TX · Private nonprofit · town campus · online option

   Our score

   70

   8th of 12 in Texas

   National rank 111 of 177

   The Kinesiology department at East Texas Baptist doubles as home to a separate Athletic Training Program, preparing candidates for clinical or sports-team paths alongside its wellness management coursework.

   East Texas Baptist University places 8th of 12 in Texas at 70, with 7 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $29,250 is below the state midpoint, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 47% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

   It admits 58% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 8 master's degrees a year, 4% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level.

   • Frank S. Groner School of Professional Studies
   • Aims to ready majors for graduate school
   • 8 degrees conferred in the field a year
   • Total enrollment of 1,813, among the smallest peers

   Graduation rate

   47%

   Admit rate

   58%

   In-state tuition

   $29,250

   Out-of-state tuition

   $29,250

   Cost of attendance

   $45,330

   Undergrad enrollment

   1,634

   Degrees conferred

   8

   View East Texas Baptist University's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.etbu.edu

9. 09

   Rank 9: Sam Houston State University

   Master of Science in Kinesiology (Sport and Human Performance)

   Huntsville, TX · Public · town campus · online option

   Our score

   70

   9th of 12 in Texas

   National rank 112 of 177

   Sam Houston State's online Master of Science in Kinesiology offers a choice between a thesis and a final-exam track, trading a 90% admit rate for tuition beating 87.5% of its group of comparable programs.

   Sam Houston State University places 9th of 12 in Texas at 70, with 8 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $5,856 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 55% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

   It admits 90% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 13 master's degrees a year, 6% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level. Residency is worth $9,840 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $15,696 out-of-state rate.

   • Online with optional on-campus lab days
   • 30 to 36 credit hours required
   • Fall, spring and summer application deadlines
   • In-state tuition of $5,856 a year

   Graduation rate

   55%

   Admit rate

   90%

   In-state tuition

   $5,856

   Out-of-state tuition

   $15,696

   Cost of attendance

   $26,194

   Undergrad enrollment

   17,787

   Degrees conferred

   13

   View SHSU's Master of Science in Kinesiology (Sport and Human Performance) www.shsu.edu

10. 10

    Rank 10: Tarleton State University

    Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

    Stephenville, TX · Public · town campus · online option

    Our score

    68.8

    10th of 12 in Texas

    National rank 121 of 177

    Candidates drawn to breadth, six tracks across two departments, fit Tarleton best, where a 19th-percentile graduation rate holds our score at 68.8 against a 73.8 median.

    Tarleton State University places 10th of 12 in Texas at 68.8, with 9 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $4,798 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 48% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

    It admits 90% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 48 master's degrees a year, 22% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level. Residency is worth $9,840 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $14,638 out-of-state rate.

    • Exercise and Sport Studies (EXSS) track
    • Coaching, Athletic Administration & Recreation (CAAR) track
    • $4,798 in-state tuition
    • 48 degrees conferred a year

    Graduation rate

    48%

    Admit rate

    90%

    In-state tuition

    $4,798

    Out-of-state tuition

    $14,638

    Cost of attendance

    $24,352

    Undergrad enrollment

    15,254

    Degrees conferred

    48

    View TSU's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.tarleton.edu

11. 11

    Rank 11: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

    Master of Science in Exercise Science

    Edinburg, TX · Public · city campus

    Our score

    66.2

    11th of 12 in Texas

    National rank 135 of 177

    UTRGV frames its exercise science master's around treating chronic disease, diabetes, obesity and hypertension, rather than general fitness, and our score of 66.2 is held down by 13th-percentile admissions selectivity.

    The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley places 11th of 12 in Texas at 66.2, with 10 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,842 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 51% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

    It admits 94% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 31 master's degrees a year, 14% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level. Residency is worth $9,840 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $17,682 out-of-state rate.

    • College of Health Professions
    • Clinical disease-prevention curriculum focus
    • Graduate Select Scholarship up to $1,000
    • 94% admit rate

    Graduation rate

    51%

    Admit rate

    94%

    In-state tuition

    $7,842

    Out-of-state tuition

    $17,682

    Cost of attendance

    $24,883

    Undergrad enrollment

    28,674

    Degrees conferred

    31

    View University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's Master of Science in Exercise Science www.utrgv.edu

12. 12

    Rank 12: The University of Texas at Tyler

    M.S. in Kinesiology

    Tyler, TX · Public · city campus · online option

    Our score

    65.7

    12th of 12 in Texas

    National rank 139 of 177

    Ninety-four percent of applicants get into UT Tyler's M.S. in Kinesiology, a selectivity percentile of 13 among 177 peer master's programs.

    The University of Texas at Tyler places 12th of 12 in Texas at 65.7, with 11 programs scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,020 is in the cheaper quarter of the state, where the published range runs $4,798 to $61,650. Its 54% graduation rate sits against a 47% to 86% spread across the 12 Texas schools that report one.

    It admits 94% of applicants, against 44% to 94% across Texas. It confers 4 master's degrees a year, 2% of the 223 awarded across Texas at this level. Residency is worth $15,000 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $22,020 out-of-state rate.

    • Full online delivery option
    • Paired with a Master of Occupational Therapy in the same department
    • Formal thesis proposal and outcome forms track
    • $7,020 in-state annual tuition

    Graduation rate

    54%

    Admit rate

    94%

    In-state tuition

    $7,020

    Out-of-state tuition

    $22,020

    Cost of attendance

    $29,550

    Undergrad enrollment

    7,683

    Degrees conferred

    4

    View University of Texas at Tyler's M.S. in Kinesiology www.uttyler.edu

Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in Texas Compared

The same scores in one readout. Tuition is the published in-state rate before aid.

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Texas

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

Exercise Physiologists in Texas

Texas median

$56,780

vs national

−$2,680

Employed in TX

520

10th to 90th

$36,890 – $79,150

Every Texas Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

Other Kinesiology Degree Levels in Texas

This page ranks master's programs only. Texas reports programs at other levels too, and each level is compared only with programs at that same level.

• Bachelor's Bachelor's in Kinesiology in Texas 12 programs ranked
• Associate's Associate's in Kinesiology in Texas 2 programs ranked
• Doctoral PhD in Kinesiology in Texas 6 programs ranked

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 Texas’s own BLS medians where published.

• Occupational Therapist$106,140 median in Texas · reachable at this level
• Physical Therapist$105,810 median in Texas · needs doctoral degree
• Physical Therapist Assistant$78,000 median in Texas · reachable at this level
• Athletic Trainer$64,150 median in Texas · reachable at this level
• Recreational Therapist$62,490 median in Texas · reachable at this level
• Exercise Physiologist$56,780 median in Texas · reachable at this level
• Fitness Trainer or Group Instructor$40,880 median in Texas · reachable at this level
• Coach or Scout$36,510 median in Texas · reachable at this level

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 Texas, 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

• U.S. Dept. of Education (IPEDS)
• BLS OOH: Exercise Physiologists
• BLS OEWS May 2025 (SOC 29-1128)
• CAAHEP / CoAES accredited exercise science programs

Master's in Kinesiology Programs Near Texas

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

• Alabama 7
• Arkansas 4
• Florida 3
• Georgia 5
• Kentucky 2
• Louisiana 4