Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness: earnings, debt, and careers
CIP 31.05. Official graduate outcomes from the U.S. Department of Education across 2,371 programs, and the careers this field is linked to.
Graduate earnings by credential level
| Credential | Programs | Graduates (recent year) | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Typical program median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate certificate | 294 | 2,045 | $28,258 | $37,647 | $10,125 10 programs |
| Associate's degree | 416 | 5,729 | $32,424 | $40,162 | $11,036 12 programs |
| Bachelor's degree | 1,011 | 48,417 | $37,216 | $54,562 | $24,500 665 programs |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 14 | 0 | $58,326 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Master's degree | 462 | 8,451 | $51,769 | $62,033 | Data unavailable |
| Doctoral degree | 77 | 306 | $74,032 | $81,993 | Data unavailable |
| Professional degree (JD, MD, and similar) | 3 | 7 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Graduate certificate | 94 | 306 | $58,219 | $56,916 | Data unavailable |
National earnings are published by the Department of Education for each field and credential level Verified data. Typical program median debt is ConnectPrep's calculation: the median across programs of each program's median federal debt Calculated estimate. It covers federal loans only.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most Recent Field of Study Data. Varies by measure; see measure definitions. Published October 15, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Undergraduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa IA · Public · 23 graduates measured | $44,391 | $50,154 | Data unavailable |
| Broadview College · Private, for-profit · 24 graduates measured | $40,804 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Indiana University-Indianapolis IN · Public · 71 graduates measured | $40,182 | $57,940 | $22,500 |
| Southern California Health Institute CA · Private, for-profit · 25 graduates measured | $28,217 | $31,900 | $9,500 |
| National Personal Training Institute FL · Private, for-profit · 84 graduates measured | $27,894 | $24,910 | $6,333 |
| National Personal Training Institute-Tampa FL · Private, for-profit · 84 graduates measured | $27,894 | $24,910 | $6,333 |
| Focus Personal Training Institute NY · Private, for-profit · 60 graduates measured | $23,818 | $38,318 | $6,333 |
| American Fitness and Nutrition Academy · Private, for-profit · 19 graduates measured | $18,269 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| NUC University PR · Private, for-profit · 102 graduates measured | $16,375 | Data unavailable | $10,750 |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Associate's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lionel University CA · Private, for-profit · 27 graduates measured | $46,395 | $52,984 | $12,958 |
| Austin Community College District TX · Public · 16 graduates measured | $39,319 | $48,357 | Data unavailable |
| Columbus State Community College OH · Public · 30 graduates measured | $36,376 | $41,947 | $11,073 |
| Bryan University AZ · Private, for-profit · 124 graduates measured | $36,002 | $41,220 | $23,000 |
| Mt San Antonio College CA · Public · 39 graduates measured | $34,663 | $40,993 | $8,000 |
| College of the Canyons CA · Public · 27 graduates measured | $31,847 | Data unavailable | $6,693 |
| Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale FL · Private, nonprofit · 30 graduates measured | $30,712 | $35,403 | Data unavailable |
| South Texas College TX · Public · 19 graduates measured | $28,844 | $36,477 | Data unavailable |
| Monroe University NY · Private, for-profit · 22 graduates measured | $20,627 | $31,845 | $14,250 |
| El Paso Community College TX · Public · 25 graduates measured | $19,741 | $32,542 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Bachelor's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University System WV · Private, for-profit · 327 graduates measured | $54,504 | $60,134 | $14,028 |
| Southern Methodist University TX · Private, nonprofit · 52 graduates measured | $53,477 | $62,838 | $19,500 |
| University of Minnesota-Crookston MN · Public · 21 graduates measured | $53,209 | $53,190 | Data unavailable |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin TX · Public · 39 graduates measured | $51,699 | Data unavailable | $19,469 |
| Elmhurst University IL · Private, nonprofit · 27 graduates measured | $51,595 | $66,244 | $24,750 |
| University of South Carolina-Columbia SC · Public · 260 graduates measured | $51,485 | $67,705 | $21,500 |
| The University of Arizona Global Campus AZ · Private, for-profit · 40 graduates measured | $50,650 | $51,665 | $37,111 |
| Denison University OH · Private, nonprofit · 16 graduates measured | $49,514 | Data unavailable | $26,000 |
| Thomas College ME · Private, nonprofit · 24 graduates measured | $49,320 | $51,014 | Data unavailable |
| Syracuse University NY · Private, nonprofit · 125 graduates measured | $48,438 | $68,219 | $24,450 |
| Rice University TX · Private, nonprofit · 37 graduates measured | $48,301 | $87,404 | Data unavailable |
| Ohio University-Eastern Campus OH · Public · 107 graduates measured | $48,154 | $55,867 | $26,000 |
| Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus OH · Public · 107 graduates measured | $48,154 | $55,867 | $26,000 |
| Ohio University-Southern Campus OH · Public · 107 graduates measured | $48,154 | $55,867 | $26,000 |
| Ohio University-Lancaster Campus OH · Public · 107 graduates measured | $48,154 | $55,867 | $26,000 |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Master's degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia University in the City of New York NY · Private, nonprofit · 33 graduates measured | $88,778 | $107,139 | Data unavailable |
| CUNY Brooklyn College NY · Public · 37 graduates measured | $85,884 | $88,828 | Data unavailable |
| Fresno Pacific University CA · Private, nonprofit · 19 graduates measured | $85,754 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Plymouth State University NH · Public · 21 graduates measured | $72,754 | $73,964 | Data unavailable |
| Concordia University-Irvine CA · Private, nonprofit · 454 graduates measured | $65,510 | $71,776 | Data unavailable |
| Central Washington University WA · Public · 61 graduates measured | $64,506 | $69,174 | Data unavailable |
| Endicott College MA · Private, nonprofit · 27 graduates measured | $63,253 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Life University GA · Private, nonprofit · 34 graduates measured | $62,974 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| Georgetown University DC · Private, nonprofit · 109 graduates measured | $62,842 | $81,035 | Data unavailable |
| University of San Francisco CA · Private, nonprofit · 103 graduates measured | $62,719 | $78,521 | Data unavailable |
| American University DC · Private, nonprofit · 58 graduates measured | $62,685 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| St. John's University-New York NY · Private, nonprofit · 39 graduates measured | $62,615 | $69,548 | Data unavailable |
| Northwestern University IL · Private, nonprofit · 64 graduates measured | $62,341 | $82,178 | Data unavailable |
| American Public University System WV · Private, for-profit · 190 graduates measured | $61,901 | $70,509 | Data unavailable |
| Ohio University-Main Campus OH · Public · 168 graduates measured | $61,359 | $68,913 | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Doctoral degree programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concordia University-Chicago IL · Private, nonprofit · 39 graduates measured | $83,542 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
| University of Western States OR · Private, nonprofit · 22 graduates measured | $64,140 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Graduate certificate programs with the highest early earnings
| School | Median earnings, 1 yr | Median earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri State University-Springfield MO · Public · 18 graduates measured | $46,295 | Data unavailable | Data unavailable |
Ranked by published median earnings one year after completion. Programs with suppressed earnings do not appear, so this is not a ranking of program quality.
Careers linked to Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
| Occupation | Median wage, all workers | Change 2025 to 2035 | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling | $79,520 | +6.0% | Bachelor's degree |
| Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary | $77,270 | +2.2% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Athletes and sports competitors | $66,710 | +5.5% | No formal educational credential |
| Coaches and scouts | $47,320 | +6.1% | Bachelor's degree |
| Exercise physiologists | $59,460 | +12.8% | Bachelor's degree |
| Athletic trainers | $62,520 | +12.7% | Master's degree |
| Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors | $47,160 | +7.3% | High school diploma or equivalent |
Occupations mapped to this field in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. Occupation wages describe all workers, not recent graduates.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk. CIP 2020 and SOC 2018 taxonomies. Published April 30, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Detailed CIP codes in this field (6)
- 31.0501 Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General
- 31.0504 Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
- 31.0505 Exercise Science and Kinesiology
- 31.0507 Physical Fitness Technician
- 31.0508 Sports Studies
- 31.0599 Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other