2 Best Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Washington

Programs ranked: 2
In-state tuition: $7,231 to $8,240
Avg graduation rate: 60%
Median wage (BLS): $59,460

What Master's in Kinesiology Programs in Washington 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 Washington. Western Washington University leads the state with a score of 74.3, which is national rank 86 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 $7,231 to $8,240 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 92%. Together they conferred 11 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 Washington, 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: Western Washington University

Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology

Bellingham, WA · Public · city campus

Our score

1st of 2 in Washington

National rank 86 of 177

Every kinesiology student at Western logs either a 360-hour summer internship or two 90-hour field placements before they graduate, mentored one-on-one by a faculty member who helps line up the placement.

Western Washington University leads Washington at 74.3, ahead of the one other program ranked here. In-state tuition of $8,240 is the highest in the state, where the published range runs $7,231 to $8,240. Its 65% graduation rate sits against a 54% to 65% spread across the 2 Washington schools that report one. It admits 93% of applicants, against 91% to 93% across Washington.
It confers 5 master's degrees a year, 45% of the 11 awarded across Washington at this level. Residency is worth $19,125 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $27,365 out-of-state rate. Nationally it is 86th of the 177 master's programs scored at this level.
- Three tracks: Exercise Science, Pre-Healthcare Professions, Sport Psychology
- Housed in the Health and Human Development Department
- 93% admit rate
- Credit available for exercise and sport science research
Graduation rate

65%

Admit rate

93%

In-state tuition

$8,240

Out-of-state tuition

$27,365

Cost of attendance

$31,275

Undergrad enrollment

13,752

Degrees conferred

5

View Western Washington University's Master's in Exercise Science and Kinesiology wwu.edu
Rank 2: Central Washington University

Master's in Integrative Human Physiology

Ellensburg, WA · Public · town campus

Our score

2nd of 2 in Washington

National rank 126 of 177

A 91% admission rate, the widest gate among comparable programs at this level, holds our score for Central Washington at 67.5, well under the 73.8 median.

Central Washington University places 2nd of 2 in Washington at 67.5, with 1 program scoring above it. In-state tuition of $7,231 is the lowest in the state, where the published range runs $7,231 to $8,240. Its 54% graduation rate sits against a 54% to 65% spread across the 2 Washington schools that report one.
It admits 91% of applicants, against 91% to 93% across Washington. It confers 6 master's degrees a year, 55% of the 11 awarded across Washington at this level. Residency is worth $18,109 a year here, the gap between the in-state rate and the $25,340 out-of-state rate.
- Exercise and Rehabilitation undergraduate track
- Human Performance, Strength and Conditioning track
- Dual-degree path to master's in one year
- $7,231 in-state tuition
Graduation rate

54%

Admit rate

91%

In-state tuition

$7,231

Out-of-state tuition

$25,340

Cost of attendance

$32,722

Undergrad enrollment

10,317

Degrees conferred

6

View Central Washington University's Master's in Integrative Human Physiology www.cwu.edu

Every Master's in Kinesiology Program in Washington 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	Western Washington University	Bellingham	65%	93%	$8,240
02	Central Washington University	Ellensburg	54%	91%	$7,231

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

What Kinesiology Careers Pay in Washington

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

Exercise Physiologists in Washington

Washington median: $81,310
vs national: +$21,850
Employed in WA: 160
10th to 90th: $65,830 – $97,620

Exercise Physiologists in Washington earn a median of $81,310, $21,850 above the national median of $59,460, across 160 jobs in the state. The bottom tenth earn under $65,830 and the top tenth clear $97,620, so the median is a midpoint rather than an offer.

Every Washington Occupation This Field Feeds, by Median Wage

Occupation	WA median	vs national	Jobs in WA
Occupational Therapists	$107,670	+$7,340	3,340
Physical Therapists	$105,950	+$3,190	5,370
Exercise Physiologists	$81,310	+$21,850	160
Recreational Therapists	$77,860	+$15,900	240
Physical Therapist Assistants	$66,450	−$1,930	2,150
Athletic Trainers	$63,750	+$1,230	240
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$50,830	+$3,670	9,270
Coaches and Scouts	$48,030	+$710	11,790

Of the 8 occupations in this field that BLS prices for Washington, Occupational Therapists pays the most at $107,670 ($7,340 above its national median). The largest employer of the 8 is Coaches and Scouts, at 11,790 jobs in the state paying a median of $48,030. 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 Washington

This page ranks master's programs only. Washington 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 Washington 5 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 Washington’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 Washington, 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 Washington

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 Washington