Intelligence Brief Sciences Sector
Kinesiology
Bachelor's · 4 years
C-
Scorecard
- $52,000
- Median salary
- 10%
- Projected growth
- 40/100
- Difficulty
- 4
- Career paths
AI Resilience 62
Overall Score 47
CollegeRanker Degree Outlook Score™
46
out of 100 · C+
Solid Outlook
Composite of earnings, projected growth, demand gap, AI resilience, career breadth, and remote flexibility — CollegeRanker's proprietary degree outlook model.
Supply vs Demand
Healthy DemandMarket Demand62
Graduate Supply38
Demand modestly exceeds supply — projected 10% occupational growth (faster than average).
Salary Trajectory
~2.5%/yrModeled from BLS median wage and occupational growth. Dashed bars are forecast. Illustrative, not a guarantee.
Where Graduates Work
Common Employers
- Pfizer
- Merck
- Genentech
- National Labs
- Thermo Fisher
- Regeneron
Representative employers that commonly hire Sciences graduates — illustrative of where graduates concentrate, not a guarantee.
Industry Mix
- Pharma & Biotech 33%
- Research & Labs 24%
- Healthcare 16%
- Government 14%
- Other 13%
Estimated distribution of Sciences graduates across hiring industries.
Executive Summary
- Kinesiology scores 47/100 (C-), reflecting a challenging profile among bachelor's programs.
- Median salary of $52,000 reflects moderate earning potential.
- Projected growth of 10% is below the national average.
- AI resilience score of 62 indicates moderate disruption risk across associated careers.
Kinesiology scores 47/100 — C-. The strongest dimension is growth (35/100), followed by remote potential (35/100). The biggest challenge: salary (26/100).
Research Insights
- At Risk Future-proof
Kinesiology faces headwinds for long-term value (49/100). Projected growth of 10% is below average. Graduates should develop skills that complement, not compete with, AI-driven workflows.
Score 49 /100 - Limited ROI
Kinesiology offers a challenging ROI profile (37/100). Median earnings of $52,000 are below many peers.
Score 37 /100 - Narrow Career Breadth
Kinesiology leads to a focused set of career paths (42/100). With 4 primary career trajectories, graduates benefit from clear direction but have less flexibility to pivot.
Score 42 /100
Decision Intelligence
Kinesiology presents a more complex risk/reward profile. Outcomes are less predictable and depend heavily on specific career targeting and graduate school plans.
Who Benefits Most
Students who value career stability and meet the academic prerequisites. Students who pair this degree with internships and networking outperform peers. The moderate AI risk makes it important to specialize.
Who Should Think Twice
Individuals lacking a genuine interest in health and fitness or those unwilling to pursue further education may find this degree unsatisfying. Additionally, those seeking high salaries immediately after graduation may be disappointed by the entry-level pay.
Student Archetypes
- The Health Enthusiast Recommended
This student is passionate about fitness and health, often involved in sports or wellness activities. They seek a career that aligns with their interests.
- The Career Switcher Conditional
This student is transitioning from another field and sees Kinesiology as a way to enter the health sector. They may need additional support to catch up.
- The Salary Seeker Not Recommended
This student is primarily motivated by high earning potential and may not have a strong interest in the subject matter of Kinesiology.
Economic Importance
Kinesiology plays a crucial role in the health and fitness industries, particularly in rehabilitation, sports performance, and wellness. The increasing emphasis on physical health and preventive care drives demand for professionals skilled in exercise science and physical therapy.
Scorecard Analysis
Our proprietary scorecard evaluates degrees across five dimensions from BLS wage and growth data, O*NET work context, and standard education requirements.
Below-average earning
Below-average growth
Moderate barrier
Primarily in-person
Less competitive
Difficulty Score
40/100
Composite reflecting the combined demands of salary, growth, barrier, remote compatibility, and competition.
AI Resilience Assessment
Automation risk for careers linked to this degree.
Kinesiology faces moderate AI disruption risk (62/100). While AI will automate routine components within many associated careers, core responsibilities still require human oversight and strategic thinking. Upskilling in AI collaboration tools is recommended.
- Domain expertise from this degree provides some protection against full automation.
- AI can handle routine reporting, data aggregation, and first-pass analysis in many associated careers.
- Risk factor: entry-level roles in fields linked to this degree may face headcount reduction as AI handles more data processing.
Intelligence Deep Dive
-
Reality Check
While Kinesiology offers a pathway into health and fitness careers, competition for positions can be stiff, especially in desirable locations. Many entry-level roles may require long hours and offer modest pay, especially without further qualifications.
-
Hiring Market Signal
The hiring market for Kinesiology graduates is growing, with healthcare facilities, gyms, and sports organizations actively seeking skilled professionals. However, candidates with specialized certifications or advanced degrees are often favored.
-
Risk Factors
- High competition for desirable positions
- Potentially high student debt for further education
- Market saturation in certain geographic areas
- Variable job availability based on economic conditions
- Dependence on personal networking for job opportunities
-
ROI Timeline
Typically, graduates can expect to recoup their investment within 5 to 7 years, depending on their salary progression and any debt incurred. Factors such as geographic location and job market conditions can influence this timeline.
What You'll Study
The curriculum's blend of courses like Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, and Clinical Practice equips graduates with a comprehensive understanding of human movement and health, preparing them for various roles in rehabilitation and fitness.
Throughout the program, students will take a mix of theoretical and practical courses, including exercise physiology, kinesiology, and biomechanics. Expect to participate in hands-on labs and projects that apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, such as fitness assessments and rehabilitation techniques.
Internships are often a required component, providing valuable experience in clinical settings or fitness environments. These practical experiences can be challenging, as they require not only academic knowledge but also the ability to work effectively with diverse populations under real-world pressures.
Typical Curriculum
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
- Motor Learning
- Sports Psychology
- Nutrition
- Anatomy
- Research Methods
- Clinical Practice
Career Pipeline
From entry to executive.
Entry-Level
- Exercise Technician
- Fitness Trainer
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Sports Coach
- Kinesiologist
Mid-Career
- Exercise Physiologist
- Athletic Trainer
- Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Health and Wellness Coordinator
- Physical Therapy Assistant
Advanced
- Director of Sports Performance
- Clinical Exercise Specialist
- Rehabilitation Program Manager
Pipeline Insight
Graduates often begin in entry-level roles focused on fitness or rehabilitation and advance as they gain experience and certifications. Those who seek additional qualifications, such as a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), tend to have higher career mobility.
Career Outcomes
Graduates with a degree in Kinesiology can pursue careers as Exercise Physiologists, Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapy professionals (often requiring a Doctor of Physical Therapy), or Strength & Conditioning Coaches. The median salary for these roles is around $52,000, and the projected job growth in this field is 10%, driven by increasing awareness of health and fitness and a growing aging population requiring rehabilitation and preventive care.
- Exercise Physiologist
- Athletic Trainer
- Physical Therapy (with DPT)
- Strength & Conditioning Coach
Compensation Context
The median salary of $52,000 reflects a balance between the demand for health professionals and the relatively low barrier to entry for many roles. Compensation varies by geographic location, specialization, and whether the individual pursues further education or certifications.
Alternative Routes
Similar or competing pathways students consider alongside Kinesiology:
- Exercise Science (Bachelor's)
- Sports Management (Bachelor's)
- Physical Therapy Assistant (Associate's)
- Nutrition and Dietetics (Bachelor's)
- Occupational Therapy (with additional degrees)
Getting In & Timeline
Typical time to complete: 4 years full-time
- High school diploma or equivalent, completed coursework in biology and chemistry, and a minimum GPA requirement.
Advice
Strong communication skills and a commitment to continuous learning can greatly enhance your success in this field.
Is This Degree Worth It?
This degree can pay off well for those who pursue advanced education or certifications, as roles like Physical Therapists have higher earning potential. However, graduates entering the workforce directly may find limited salary growth without further credentials.
Schools With Strong Outcomes in Sciences
Ranked by median graduate earnings 10 years after enrollment. Schools grouped into tiers by outcome level.
Top Tier2schools
Strong Outcomes2schools
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Methodology & Data Sources
Every score, grade, and verdict on this page is built from a consistent framework designed to answer one question: what is the expected return on this degree?
Scorecard dimensions. We evaluate programs on five proprietary axes — Salary, Job Growth, Education Barrier, Remote/Online Compatibility, and Competition — each normalized to a 0–100 scale. The Overall Score is a weighted composite: salary (30%), job growth (20%), AI resilience (15%), barrier proximity (15%), competition inverse (10%), and career breadth (10%). Letter grades follow a standard scale from A+ (95+) down to F.
AI Resilience. Measures automation risk across the degree's associated career pathways. Each degree receives a category-level baseline adjusted upward for AI-adjacent fields (e.g., machine learning, computer science) and downward for fields with higher routine-task exposure. The score represents the degree's resistance to labor-market disruption, not a prediction of elimination.
Verdict scores. Future-Proof, ROI, and Career Breadth are secondary composites weighting AI resilience, growth, salary, barrier, and career count to answer specific decision questions: is this career durable (Future-Proof), financially worthwhile (ROI), and flexible (Career Breadth)?
Data sources. Salary and growth figures are drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (O*NET) and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2023–2033 projections). Education requirement data and work context scores come from O*NET 28.2. School-level earnings data is sourced from the Opportunity Insights Economic Tracker (median earnings 10 years after enrollment, based on federal tax records). Program rankings and school lists reflect CollegeRanker's proprietary classification and filtering methodology.
This page is built on disclosed, reproducible data. No affiliate bias, no survey-based rankings, no undisclosed weighting.
Data Behind This Page Updated 2025
Source datasets
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023–2033 projections
- O*NET 28.2 — education requirements and work-context data
- Opportunity Insights — earnings 10 years after enrollment (federal tax records)
Methodology
Degrees are scored on five normalized axes — salary (30%), job growth (20%), AI resilience (15%), education barrier (15%), and competition (10%), plus career breadth (10%) — each on a 0–100 scale.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Salary and growth figures come from federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data — administrative wage records and official projections, not surveys.
- AI-resilience scores are computed from O*NET task and work-context data, applied consistently across every program.
- Every measure is normalized to a fixed 0–100 scale, so degrees are directly comparable.
Limitations
- BLS wage data reflect national medians; actual pay varies widely by region, employer, and experience.
- Job growth is a 2023–2033 projection, not a guarantee — labor markets shift with technology and the economy.
- AI-resilience is a directional estimate of automation exposure, not a prediction about any specific role.
- Figures describe typical outcomes for the field, not a promise for any individual graduate.
