What can you do with a Exercise Science degree?

First, some facts. Of the Exercise Science graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 649 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Exercise Science graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

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Also, after graduating, 58% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Exercise Science graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Exercise Science degree?
• What do Exercise Science graduates do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Exercise Science degree? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Exercise Science degree?
• What are the best colleges for Exercise Science?

View a random Exercise Science graduate and our analysis:

Relevance score: 88% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2018 from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Physical Therapist Technician Progressive Therapy LLC Oct 2018 - Jul 2019 As a Physical Therapist Technician, the individual applies knowledge and skills related to exercise science directly in patient rehabilitation, making this role highly relevant. Physical Therapy Technician Patient Care Injury Clinic Oct 2019 - Jun 2021 The Physical Therapy Technician position involves working directly with patients to implement therapeutic exercises, utilizing core principles from the exercise science degree. Rehabilitation Technician Memorial Hermann Health System Jun 2021 - Aug 2023 The Rehabilitation Technician role requires knowledge of exercise science to assist in patient care and rehabilitation programs, aligning it closely with the degree's focus. Customer Service Representative Brett Campo State Farm Apr 2023 - Present While the Customer Service Representative position at State Farm may involve some interpersonal skills beneficial in healthcare settings, it does not utilize exercise science knowledge or skills directly. ABOUT No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Exercise Science degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Student Physical Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Personal Trainer
• Intern
• Occupational Therapist
• Exercise Physiologist
• Physical Therapy Aide
• Physical Therapy Technician
• Physical Therapist Assistant
• Athletic Trainer

After reviewing the extensive list of jobs held by individuals with a degree in Exercise Science, several trends become evident regarding the types of roles these graduates commonly pursue and the level of relevance their jobs have to the field. The most prevalent type of job appears to be in the rehabilitation and fitness sectors, particularly positions such as Physical Therapist, Personal Trainer, and Exercise Physiologist. Many graduates also find roles as Athletic Trainers, Coaches, or in Strength and Conditioning, where their foundational knowledge of human physiology and exercise principles directly feeds into their day-to-day responsibilities.

Examining the relevance of these positions to an Exercise Science degree illustrates a mixed bag. A significant number of the jobs—particularly those in physical therapy and rehabilitation—demonstrate a high degree of relevance. For instance, roles like Physical Therapist, Exercise Physiologist, and Athletic Trainer rely heavily on the principles taught in an Exercise Science curriculum. This close alignment signifies that these graduates are directly utilizing the knowledge they gained during their studies, allowing them to create and implement effective rehabilitation programs for patients or fitness regimens for clients.

However, a notable portion of graduates have transitioned into roles that utilize only a fraction of their Exercise Science knowledge or skills. Positions in administrative roles, sales, and customer service—which frequently appear in the data—often lack direct relevance to the core competencies associated with Exercise Science. For example, many individuals find themselves in customer service or sales-focused jobs where the application of exercise science principles is either minimal or non-existent. This trend suggests that while the exercise science field opens a wealth of opportunities, it does not guarantee that all graduates will land jobs directly tied to their degree, reflecting the broader labor market's diversity and economic factors at play.

In conclusion, the analysis reveals that individuals with a degree in Exercise Science frequently pursue careers in rehabilitation, fitness, and coaching, where their education is highly applicable. Still, various employment types exist that deviate from direct applications of their degree, which indicates that while there are strong connections between their education and some job roles, there can also be significant gaps in relevance as graduates venture into diverse occupational paths. This underscores the importance of both targeted job search strategies and possibly further education or specialization for those seeking to maximize their degree in Exercise Science.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Exercise Science graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Exercise Science graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we look at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Exercise Science, we notice a mixed bag of outcomes. Many of these students start off with careers that align closely with their major, such as roles in fitness, physical therapy, and sports health. However, we also see that some end up in positions that are seemingly unrelated to their studies, particularly those that don’t involve direct patient care or exercise science applications.

For many graduates, their first job after college is often in fields like personal training, physical therapy assistance, or coaching. For instance, graduates from various schools held positions such as fitness instructors or exercise physiologists right after they completed their degrees. This makes sense because those roles are directly linked to their training in Exercise Science, providing them with a practical start within their chosen field.

However, looking five or ten years down the line, the picture becomes more varied. While some graduates successfully advance to more specialized roles such as physical therapists or strength and conditioning coaches, others drift into pathways that don’t seem to correlate with Exercise Science. We see some individuals transitioning into managerial roles, marketing, or even fully unrelated careers, like teaching or administrative positions. This might suggest a lack of clear career direction or perhaps an inability to find relevant opportunities within their field of study.

In conclusion, while it’s encouraging that a number of Exercise Science graduates secure jobs that capitalize on their education right away, the longer-term outcomes showcase the potential for divergence from their initial paths. Not everyone will continue in a specific exercise or health-related career as they advance. The job market challenges and personal career choices will greatly influence their trajectories, leading some into fulfilling careers closely tied to Exercise Science while others navigate through unrelated fields.

How hard is a Exercise Science degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science can be pretty manageable but still challenging in certain areas. It often combines science classes like biology and chemistry with hands-on activities and applied learning, so you’ll need to grasp some complex concepts. If you enjoy physical activity and are curious about how the body works, it can feel more like a fun mix of stuff—sort of like gym class with a science twist. However, if you’re not a fan of math or science, it might feel tougher for you than average. So it really depends on your interests and your willingness to dive into the coursework!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Exercise Science.

Do Exercise Science graduates tend to make good money?

When looking at the career paths of these Exercise Science graduates, it's a mixed bag in terms of earnings potential. For instance, those who have pursued advanced degrees like Physical Therapy or Physician Assistant roles (like the graduates from the University of Kansas and Creighton University) often find themselves in lucrative positions with respectable salaries. Conversely, graduates working as personal trainers or in entry-level rehab or coaching roles might struggle to make ends meet, especially if they haven't secured stable clients or consistent hours. Positions tied to healthcare roles typically promise better financial outcomes, while those in personal fitness or coaching may have variable income tied to factors like client retention and the local market.

Overall, it's clear that further education and specialization can lead to solid income opportunities within healthcare fields, while initial positions in exercise science-related roles can be hit-or-miss financially. It’s something to definitely consider—choosing a path that aligns both with personal interests and financial goals is key for long-term success after graduation.

What buzzwords do Exercise Science graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Exercise Science. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Exercise Science?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Exercise Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Exercise Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
University at Buffalo	81	10
Grand Valley State University	68	10
Appalachian State University	68	14
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania	68	11
Kennesaw State University	56	10
Brigham Young University	51	26
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga	44	10