Our Methodology
Forbes Advisor Best Online Kinesiology Degree Options
| College | Best For | Average Undergraduate Tuition and Fees Per Year (in-state) | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Student Graduation Rate | $22,000 | 74% | |
| Best Affordable Program | $17,236 | 55% | |
| Most Selective Admissions | $21,500 | 64% | |
| Best for Military Students | $17,095 | 53% | |
| Best for Postgraduate Earnings | $21,221 | 69% | |
| Best for Interdisciplinary Learning | $21,250 | 69% | |
| Best Value for North Carolina Residents | $28,250 | 52% | |
| Highest Acceptance Rate | $23,250 | 51% | |
| Best for Graduate Degree Hopefuls | $22,057 | 63% | |
| Best value for Oklahoma Residents | $17,367 | 42% |
Why Maryville University of Saint Louis Ranks as No. 1
Out of all the colleges that offer kinesiology degrees on our list, Maryville University of Saint Louis boasts the highest student graduation rate. The school also performed well on metrics like student-to-faculty ratio, percentage of undergraduates enrolled in distance education and postgraduate earnings.
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Best Student Graduation Rate
Maryville University of Saint Louis
Program Tuition Rate
$575/credit
Graduation Rate
74%
$575/credit
74%
Maryville University of Saint Louis offers an online B.S. in exercise science degree recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). The program emphasizes experiential learning through role-playing exercises, simulations and case studies. Instructors include military Master Fitness Trainers and NSCA exam prep teachers.
Students take all courses online, but must complete an in-person practicum that includes 120 supervised hours from a list of approved university partners. Online learners get remote access to the school’s high-tech Human Performance Lab via video and interactive technology.
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Private
- Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Application Fee: Free
- Degree Credit Requirements: 128 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Care and prevention of injuries, health and exercise psychology
- Concentrations Available: Wellness management, strength and conditioning
- In-Person Requirements: Yes, for practicum
Florida Atlantic University
Best Affordable Program
Florida Atlantic University
Program Tuition Rate
$203/credit
(in-state)
Graduation Rate
55%
$203/credit
(in-state)
55%
At Florida Atlantic University (FAU), located in Boca Raton, Florida, students can earn a fully online B.S. in exercise science and health promotion degree with a concentration in exercise physiology recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Eligible learners can earn their B.S. and M.S. concurrently through the B.S./M.S. combined program.
The most affordable program on our list, FAU charges the lowest tuition rate for in-state undergraduate tuition and fees.
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Public
- Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Application Fee: $30
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: First aid and CPR, health and fitness for life
- Concentrations Available: N/A
- In-Person Requirements: No
Texas Tech University
Most Selective Admissions
Texas Tech University
Program Tuition Rate
$443/credit
(in-state)
Graduation Rate
64%
$443/credit
(in-state)
64%
Students in the B.S. in kinesiology program at Texas Tech University can complete the degree completely online and asynchronously. The school also offers a hybrid option that combines online coursework with visits to campus in Lubbock, Texas.
Students take eight-week accelerated courses and only pay tuition when they apply for credit. The school offers up to nine free credits for prior work and life experiences through prior learning assessment, which can save time and money toward the degree.
Texas Tech scored high on metrics like graduation rate, postgraduate earnings and retention rate.
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Public
- Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Application Fee: Free
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Exercise physiology, exercise and sport psychology
- Concentrations Available: N/A
- In-Person Requirements: No
New Mexico State University-Global Campus
Best For Military Students
New Mexico State University
Program Tuition Rate
$395/credit
Graduation Rate
53%
$395/credit
53%
New Mexico State University’s (NMSU’s) global campus offers an online B.S. in kinesiology program with a concentration in applied exercise science through its College of Health, Education and Social Transformation.
Some students can get 100% of tuition paid for through the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, and all online learners pay the same per-credit tuition rate, regardless of where they live.
NMSU supports military students in many ways, including accepting tuition assistance and providing active military personnel a significant discount ($250 per credit).
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Public
- Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Application Fee: Free
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Introduction to kinesiology, exercise testing and prescription
- Concentrations Available: Applied exercise science
- In-Person Requirements: Yes, for a required anatomy and physiology laboratory at the Las Cruces campus
Oregon State University
Best For Postgraduate Earnings
Oregon State University
Program Tuition Rate
$384/credit
Graduation Rate
69%
$384/credit
69%
Oregon State University (OSU), located in Corvallis, Oregon, offers an online kinesiology bachelor’s program through its Council on Education for Public Health-accredited College of Health. The program offers four start dates each year.
OSU boasts the highest postgraduate earnings and ties with Kansas Sate University for the highest student retention rate on our list, indicating a commitment to making sure that students get the support they need to stay in school. Also, the university doesn’t charge out-of-state tuition to online nonresident students, making this program relatively affordable no matter where you live.
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Public
- Institutional Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Application Fee: $65
- Degree Credit Requirements: 180 quarter hours
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Injury management, biomechanics of human movement
- Concentrations Available: N/A
- In-Person Requirements: Yes, for three credits of experiential learning
Kansas State University
Best for Interdisciplinary Learning
Kansas State University
Program Tuition Rate
$495/credit
Graduation Rate
69%
$495/credit
69%
At Kansas State University (K-State), located in Manhattan, Kansas, students can earn a fully online bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. All online students, regardless of where they live, pay the same fixed tuition rate at K-State, making this a relatively affordable option for residents and nonresidents.
The university also boasts the second highest average percentage of tuition covered by institutional aid on our list, another demonstration of its commitment to affordability. K-State also scored high on our list for its overall graduation and retention rates, indicating a commitment to student outcomes.
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Public
- Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Application Fee: $40
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Program planning and evaluation, cardiovascular physiology
- Concentrations Available: N/A
- In-Person Requirements: No
North Carolina Central University
Best Value for North Carolina Residents
North Carolina Central University
Program Tuition Rate
$187/credit
(in-state)
Graduation Rate
52%
$187/credit
(in-state)
52%
Durham’s North Carolina Central University (NCCU) offers an online B.S. in kinesiology with a concentration in fitness and wellness. Students complete an in-person directed professional experience capstone internship in their final semester of the program.
In addition to offering one of the lowest per-credit tuition rates for in-state students, NCCU also boasts the highest percentage of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants (69%) on our list, further highlighting its commitment to affordability, accessibility and social and economic mobility.
- Our Flexibility Rating: N/A
- School Type: Public
- Institutional Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Application Fee: $50
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Fitness management, fitness assessment
- Concentrations Available: Fitness and wellness
- In-Person Requirements: Yes, for a capstone internship
St. Francis College
Highest Acceptance Rate
St. Francis College
Program Tuition Rate
$975/credit
Graduation Rate
51%
$975/credit
51%
At St. Francis College (SFC), located in Brooklyn, New York, and founded by Franciscan brothers from Ireland in 1858, students can pursue an online B.S. in exercise and movement science.
The college’s open admission policy makes it the easiest program on our list to get into, providing a good option for students who might face difficulty getting into more competitive programs. SFC also came in first for the highest proportion of undergraduates enrolled in some distance education and got high marks for postgraduate earnings, student-to-faculty ratio, and percentage of undergraduates awarded Pell Grants.
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Private
- Institutional Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Application Fee: Free
- Degree Credit Requirements: 121-130 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Coping with stress, biomechanics
- Concentrations Available: N/A
- In-Person Requirements: No, but there’s an optional in-person practicum
University of North Dakota
Best for Graduate Degree Hopefuls
University of North Dakota
Program Tuition Rate
$408/credit
Graduation Rate
63%
$408/credit
63%
The University of North Dakota (UND), the state’s oldest and largest university, hosts an online B.S. in kinesiology program with multiple areas of concentration. Students can opt to enroll in an accelerated dual-degree program and earn a bachelor’s and master’s in kinesiology in four to five years.
Online students at UND pay the same flat per-credit tuition rate, regardless of where they live. The school scores high across multiple metrics, including graduation rate, postgraduate earnings and retention rate.
- Our Flexibility Rating: Learn on your schedule
- School Type: Public
- Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Application Fee: $35
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Adapted physical activity, introduction to coaching
- Concentrations Available: Teacher education/certification, related areas (complete another major or minor related to kinesiology, kinesiology applications, allied health, esports)
- In-Person Requirements: Yes, for some concentrations
Northeastern State University
Best Value for Oklahoma Residents
Northeastern State University
Program Tuition Rate
$231/credit
(in-state)
Graduation Rate
42%
$231/credit
(in-state)
42%
Northeastern State University (NSU), located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, offers the only Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs-accredited program on our list–an online B.S. in health and human performance. The program offers concentrations in exercise science and clinical health and wellness.
NSU scores high on metrics related to affordability, including relatively low in-state tuition and fees and low median federal student loan debt. It also boasts one of the highest percentages of undergraduates enrolled in some distance education.
- Our Flexibility Rating: N/A
- School Type: Public
- Institutional Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
- Application Fee: $25
- Degree Credit Requirements: 120 credits
- Example Major-Specific Courses: Drug education, physiology of aging
- Concentrations Available: Exercise science, clinical health and wellness
- In-Person Requirements: N/A
How To Find the Right Online Bachelor’s in Kinesiology for You
A kinesiology degree can prepare you for many different types of fields and further education, so it’s important to know what you want to do after you graduate in order to choose a program that aligns with those goals.
To find the right school for earning an online kinesiology degree, it’s important to figure out your future career and education goals, budget and learning preferences.
Consider Your Future Goals
An online kinesiology degree can help you gain the skills you need to work in fitness, sports, teaching or allied healthcare. However, each program has its own unique traits, so it’s important to think about your future career and education goals so that you choose a program that can help you achieve what you want.
“The breadth of careers open to a kinesiology graduate is very wide,” says Paul Carpenter, a professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology at California State University East Bay. He points out that many allied health professions, like physical therapy and occupational therapy, require a master’s degree or higher. A bachelor’s degree in kinesiology is “a popular path for students seeking careers in the wider field of allied health,” Carpenter notes.
Because occupational therapist, you need to pursue a doctorate or master’s degree after earning your undergraduate degree. Prioritize programs that prepare you to apply for and succeed in graduate school.
If, on the other hand, you plan to pursue a profession that doesn’t require further education, like teaching physical education or working in the fitness and wellness industry, look for programs that offer coursework or concentrations in these areas. Consider that physical education teachers must earn a state license, and consider programs that offer a path to teacher certification.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
The tuition for the online kinesiology programs on our list range from $187 to $975 per credit. The degrees on our list require an average of 120 credits, bringing the total estimated cost of this degree to around $22,440 to $117,000.
The average undergraduate tuition and fees cost $17,709 a year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For a four-year degree this adds up to $70,836. The programs on our list include both less and more expensive options, in comparison.
Earning a degree is an investment, but you may be able to get help paying for your education. Fill out the FAFSA to find out if you qualify for federal student aid like loans, grants and scholarships.
Accreditation for Online Bachelor’s in Kinesiology Programs
Before you consider any college for your bachelor’s in kinesiology, make sure it’s institutionally accredited. This means the school meets quality standards and offers high-quality academic programs. Attending an accredited university makes it easier to get federal financial aid, transfer credits and apply to graduate school.
Bachelor’s in kinesiology programs can also earn programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Only one program on our list, Northeastern State University’s online B.S. in health and human performance, holds CAAHEP accreditation.
Although not mandated for the profession, a CAAHEP-accredited kinesiology degree might be preferred or required by some employers. You may need an accredited degree to earn certain kinesiology certifications, like the American Kinesiotherapy Association’s Registered Kinesiotherapist (R.K.T.) certification.
What To Expect From an Online Bachelor’s in Kinesiology
Kinesiology programs explore human movement and physical activity. A kinesiology degree can prepare you for careers in fitness, sports, education and allied health. Potential careers include athletic trainer, physical therapist or bachelor’s in physical education. Some of these roles require additional education, certification and training.
Not all programs that cover this field choose the same names for the degree. Schools offer degrees similar to kinesiology with names like exercise science, health and human performance, and exercise and movement.
Full-time students typically graduate in four years, and most programs require about 120 credits. Some programs require learners to complete an in-person internship or practicum to get hands-on experience working with clients.
Common Courses
Each kinesiology program develops its own curriculum, so course content and titles vary by program. However, popular classes include:
- Introduction to kinesiology
- Exercise testing and prescription
- Exercise physiology
- Exercise and sport psychology
- Injury management
- Biomechanics of human movement
In-Person Requirements
Some online kinesiology programs require students to complete in-person learning. This may take the form of a practicum, capstone, internship or professional experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Bachelor’s in Kinesiology Programs
Are kinesiology degrees worth it?
A kinesiology degree can definitely be worth it, but it depends on your future goals and what you want to do with the degree. If you’re interested in studying human movement and pursuing jobs in fields as diverse as education, allied health or fitness, a kinesiology degree offers good preparation to enter the workforce or apply to graduate school.
How much can you make with a kinesiology bachelor’s degree?
Prospective salaries for graduates with a kinesiology bachelor’s degree vary by occupation, industry, employer, experience and location.
For example, exercise physiologists, one potential job for kinesiology degree-holders, earn a median annual salary of $58,160, according to the earn $101,020 a year, but must hold a doctorate.
How much does an online kinesiology bachelor’s degree cost?
The cost of pursuing a bachelor’s in kinesiology online varies by program. Factors that can impact cost include prior college credits, residency status and school type (public or private). The programs on our list range from about $22,440 to $117,000.
How long does it take to earn an online kinesiology bachelor’s degree?
Most online kinesiology bachelor’s degrees take about four years to complete. If you attend part time, it usually takes longer, while if you have prior college credit, it may take less time.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
