Sports & Fitness
What you'll do in college
Sports and fitness majors study the science of human movement and performance—how the body responds to training and how to help people move, perform, and stay healthy. The cluster spans exercise science, kinesiology, exercise physiology, sports studies, and fitness, recreation, and outdoor education. Coursework centers on anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, motor control, nutrition, and strength and conditioning, usually paired with lab work measuring fitness, movement, and athletic performance.
Many programs include practicums in fitness centers, strength-and-conditioning rooms, or with athletic teams, and the degree serves as a science-heavy foundation for graduate study in the health professions, medicine, or sports performance.
What you'll do after college
Graduates work as strength and conditioning coaches, exercise physiologists, personal trainers and fitness directors, recreation and wellness coordinators, and performance specialists for teams, gyms, hospitals, corporate wellness programs, and the military. Many continue to graduate or professional programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, or medicine.
The work is active and hands-on, built around helping people get fitter, move better, and perform at their best. Pay varies widely by setting and credential—clinical and performance roles and advanced degrees pay more—but the field keeps growing as interest in fitness, preventive health, and human performance expands.
Famous graduates
- Bob Anderson — America's foremost stretching expert and author of the best-selling 'Stretching'; B.S. in Physical Education from California State University, Long Beach
- Misty May-Treanor — Three-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball; B.S. in Kinesiology from California State University, Long Beach
Selectivity vs. earnings
By acceptance rate
By SAT median
Earnings by acceptance rate and institution category
Majors in this category
| Major | Colleges | Degrees ▼ | Male/Female | Intl | Earnings | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports & Fitness | 756 | 41,662 | 45% / 55% | 2% | $59,246 | 96% |
| Exercise Science | 448 | 15,671 | 46% / 54% | 2% | $58,248 | 96% |
| Kinesiology | 256 | 14,815 | 45% / 55% | 2% | $58,469 | 96% |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 51 | 4,425 | 39% / 61% | 1% | $60,347 | 95% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 23 | 1,881 | 47% / 53% | 2% | $59,973 | 95% |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology | 11 | 1,209 | 39% / 61% | 2% | $65,604 | 98% |
| Exercise Physiology | 23 | 725 | 40% / 60% | 2% | $61,378 | 96% |
| Exercise and Sport Science | 7 | 662 | 46% / 54% | 1% | $63,760 | 96% |
| Applied Physiology and Kinesiology | 1 | 274 | 36% / 64% | 1% | $73,796 | 98% |
| Physical Fitness Parks Recreation and Leisure | 5 | 249 | 61% / 39% | 2% | $57,719 | 96% |
| Sports Studies | 21 | 219 | 69% / 31% | 4% | $58,518 | 97% |
| Health and Exercise Science | 2 | 213 | 39% / 61% | 2% | $74,844 | 97% |
| Physical Fitness Technician | 7 | 181 | 44% / 56% | 3% | $57,245 | 96% |
| Exercise Science and Health Promotion | 1 | 165 | 53% / 47% | 2% | $50,590 | 95% |
| Movement Science | 1 | 135 | 28% / 72% | 1% | $80,035 | 97% |
| Health and Human Performance | 2 | 91 | 33% / 67% | 1% | $54,783 | 98% |
| Outdoor Education | 16 | 86 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $54,315 | 96% |
| Movement and Exercise Science | 1 | 79 | 49% / 51% | 0% | $64,320 | 97% |
| Exercise and Wellness | 1 | 77 | 60% / 40% | 8% | $61,344 | 94% |
| Kinesiology and Health | 1 | 76 | 36% / 64% | 0% | $67,234 | 95% |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | 10 | 74 | 35% / 65% | 3% | $63,050 | 97% |
| Sport Sciences | 1 | 57 | 30% / 70% | 2% | $66,096 | 91% |
| Recreation and Sport Science | 1 | 48 | 60% / 40% | 2% | $52,816 | 99% |
| Recreation Studies | 4 | 41 | 54% / 46% | 0% | $49,004 | 97% |
| Biomechanics | 2 | 35 | 29% / 71% | 3% | $65,409 | |
| Kinesiology - Exercise Science | 1 | 35 | 43% / 57% | 0% | $75,242 | 97% |
| Exercise and Movement Science | 2 | 34 | 74% / 26% | 0% | $60,825 | 96% |
| Exercise and Health Sciences | 1 | 32 | 41% / 59% | 0% | $61,382 | 93% |
| Fitness Specialist | 1 | 27 | 70% / 30% | 0% | $58,387 | 97% |
| Physical Fitness | 3 | 17 | 47% / 53% | 0% | $60,840 | 99% |
| Camp & Outdoor Adventure Leadership | 1 | 6 | 33% / 67% | 0% | $26,402 | 100% |
| Teacher Education: Physical Education | 1 | 6 | 33% / 67% | 0% | $48,314 | 93% |
| Fitness Management | 2 | 5 | 80% / 20% | 0% | $53,374 | 100% |
| Kinesiology Education/Fitness | 1 | 4 | 25% / 75% | 25% | $76,697 | 96% |
| Personal Fitness Training | 1 | 4 | 25% / 75% | 0% | $56,087 | 97% |
| Health, Human Performance, and Leisure Studies | 1 | 2 | 50% / 50% | 0% | $50,569 | 96% |
| Recreation and Fitness | 1 | 2 | 100% / 0% | 100% | $53,470 | 95% |
| Parks and Recreation | 2 | 0 | $49,452 | |||
| Fitness and Wellness Technology | 1 | 0 | $50,888 | 96% | ||
| Sport Studies | 1 | 0 | $55,109 | 100% |