2 Best Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Utah

Programs ranked: 2
In-state tuition: $6,186 to $7,627
Avg graduation rate: 60%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Utah 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 Utah. Southern Utah University leads the state with a score of 78.6, which is national rank 53 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 $6,186 to $7,627 across the 2 programs with a published rate. The 2 schools with a published graduation rate average 60%. Average admit rate across the 2 schools publishing one is 87%. Together they conferred 23 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 Utah, 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: Southern Utah University

Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Cedar City, UT · Public · town campus · online option

Our score

1st of 2 in Utah

National rank 53 of 177

A metabolic cart system, BodPod body composition testing, and EKG analyzer units in the Exercise Physiology Lab separate Southern Utah's kinesiology master's from typically equipped peers.

Southern Utah University leads Utah at 78.6, ahead of the one other program ranked here. In-state tuition of $6,186 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $6,186 to $7,627. Its 61% graduation rate sits against a 59% to 61% spread across the 2 Utah schools that report one. It is also the only one here flagged in IPEDS as offering an online option.
It admits 82% of applicants, against 82% to 92% across Utah. It confers 16 master's degrees a year, 70% of the 23 awarded across Utah at this level. Residency is worth $14,230 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $20,416 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 53rd of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.
- Power racks and free weights for resistance training practice
- Portable blood pressure cuffs for stress testing
- InBody and BIA body composition units
- 16 degrees conferred per year
- 61% graduation rate
Graduation rate

61%

Admit rate

82%

In-state tuition

$6,186

Out-of-state tuition

$20,416

Cost of attendance

$20,898

Undergrad enrollment

13,126

Degrees conferred

16

View Southern Utah University's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology www.suu.edu
Rank 2: Utah State University

Master of Science in Kinesiology

Logan, UT · Public · city campus

Our score

2nd of 2 in Utah

National rank 95 of 177

A 92% admit rate is the single biggest force behind Utah State's Master of Science in Kinesiology, even as the department funds 15 to 20 assistantships a year to teach activity courses.

Utah State University places 2nd of 2 in Utah at 73.1, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,627 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $6,186 to $7,627. Its 59% graduation rate sits against a 59% to 61% spread across the 2 Utah schools that report one.
It admits 92% of applicants, against 82% to 92% across Utah. It confers 7 master's degrees a year, 30% of the 23 awarded across Utah at this level. Residency is worth $16,433 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $24,060 out-of-state rate.
- Two degree pathways: research/thesis or applied/literature-informed
- Exercise Science emphasis in physiology and biomechanics
- 3.0 minimum GPA required for admission
- 59% graduation rate
Graduation rate

59%

Admit rate

92%

In-state tuition

$7,627

Out-of-state tuition

$24,060

Cost of attendance

$23,436

Undergrad enrollment

25,706

Degrees conferred

7

View USU's Master of Science in Kinesiology www.usu.edu

Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in Utah 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	Southern Utah University	Cedar City	61%	82%	$6,186
02	Utah State University	Logan	59%	92%	$7,627

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Utah

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

Exercise Physiologists in Utah

Utah median: $43,850
vs national: −$15,610
Employed in UT: 220
10th to 90th: $28,860 – $73,570

Exercise Physiologists in Utah earn a median of $43,850, $15,610 below the national median of $59,460, across 220 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $28,860 and the top tenth clear $73,570, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Utah Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	UT median	vs national	Jobs in UT
Physical Therapists	$99,880	−$2,880	2,300
Occupational Therapists	$97,150	−$3,180	1,030
Athletic Trainers	$65,980	+$3,460	340
Physical Therapist Assistants	$61,980	−$6,400	970
Recreational Therapists	$56,640	−$5,320	210
Coaches and Scouts	$45,680	−$1,640	2,940
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$44,800	−$2,360	6,830
Exercise Physiologists	$43,850	−$15,610	220

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Utah, Physical Therapists pays the most at $99,880 ($2,880 below its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, at 6,830 jobs in the state paying a median of $44,800. 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 Utah

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

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 Utah