What can you do with a Exercise Science degree from Grand Valley State University?

First, some facts. Of the Exercise Science graduates from Grand Valley State University 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 68%, Exercise Science graduates from Grand Valley State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 68%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

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

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 60% 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:

View a random Exercise Science graduate from Grand Valley State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 87%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2015 from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Intern
Silver Cross Hospital
Jan 2015 - Apr 2015
The internship at Silver Cross Hospital provides foundational experience in a clinical setting, directly relating to the knowledge of exercise science concepts applied in healthcare.

Exercise Physiologist
Silver Cross Hospital
May 2015 - Apr 2017
As an Exercise Physiologist, this job utilizes knowledge from the Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science extensively and directly applies exercise testing and prescription principles on a daily basis.

Clinical Exercise Physiologist- Diagnostics
CardioSpecialists Group, Ltd.
Apr 2017 - Dec 2017
The position of Clinical Exercise Physiologist-Diagnostics at CardioSpecialists Group, Ltd. directly relates to exercise physiology by requiring the application of exercise science knowledge in diagnostics, making it highly relevant.

Clinical Exercise Physiologist- Diagnostics
Franciscan Health
Dec 2017 - Apr 2018
Similarly, the role of Clinical Exercise Physiologist-Diagnostics at Franciscan Health involves applying exercise science expertise in diagnostic settings, thus being directly related to the Bachelor's degree.

Clinical Exercise Physiologist- Cardiopulmonary Rehab
Franciscan Health
Apr 2018 - Mar 2022
This position as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in Cardiopulmonary Rehab at Franciscan Health also relies heavily on exercise science principles, focusing specifically on rehabilitation strategies using knowledge from the Bachelor's degree.

Registered Nurse
Franciscan Health
Mar 2022 - Present
While the Registered Nurse position at Franciscan Health involves healthcare knowledge and patient care, it does not specifically require the core qualifications or daily application of specialized exercise science knowledge.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's of Clinical Exercise Physiology
Benedictine University
2015 - 2017

Associate of Arts and Sciences - AAS
Joliet Junior College
2020 - 2021
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Exercise Science degree from Grand Valley State University?

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


After looking through this list of jobs held by graduates with a degree in Exercise Science from Grand Valley State University, it’s clear that many of them have pursued careers in fields closely related to their studies. The most common job roles seem to be Physical Therapists and Exercise Physiologists, which are highly relevant positions that directly apply the knowledge and skills learned in their degree program. For instance, many have taken on roles in rehabilitation centers, where they use their understanding of human movement and exercise principles to help patients recover. These roles definitely showcase the practical applications of their education.

However, not every job ties closely back to Exercise Science. Some graduates have drifted into positions like Nurse Techs, management roles, or even entirely unrelated jobs in service or sales. While these roles might benefit from some peripheral knowledge of health and fitness, they don't require the depth of exercise science expertise. So, while there are definitely positive examples of graduates finding relevant roles in healthcare and rehabilitation, there are also quite a few instances where the connection to exercise science gets diluted. Overall, it looks like a mix of both worlds—some staying true to their degree while others explore different paths.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Exercise Science graduates (this is across all Exercise Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Grand Valley State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Exercise Science graduates from Grand Valley State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Exercise Science tend to have a pretty solid trajectory in healthcare and fitness fields. Right after graduation, many of them land roles that are closely related to their degree, such as physical therapists, exercise physiologists, or fitness trainers. For example, those who graduated in 2015 and 2019 took roles in hospitals as exercise physiologists or handled clinical experiences at rehabilitation centers, which is a great start in the healthcare industry. Others have gone into coaching or management positions in fitness facilities, which shows a nice blend of exercise science knowledge with practical application.

Fast forward five to ten years, and it’s clear that a number of these graduates are climbing the ranks in their respective fields. Many of those who started as interns or entry-level positions have advanced to roles like general managers or even physical therapists in reputable clinics. Some have even transitioned to different careers within the health and wellness space, like one graduate who went from being an exercise physiologist to a registered nurse, showing adaptability in their career path. However, it's also noticeable that some alumni have veered off into unrelated fields, like rental sales management, which may indicate that not everyone stays tied to the original career path associated with their degree. Overall, though, many graduates are doing well and making strides in careers that leverage their Exercise Science training, which is pretty inspiring!

How hard is a Exercise Science degree from Grand Valley State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at Grand Valley State University can be a pretty solid mix of challenging and manageable, depending on your interests and study habits. The coursework typically dives into subjects like anatomy, physiology, and nutrition, so if you enjoy science and fitness, it might feel more like a fun challenge rather than a grind. That said, like any degree, there will be tough spots—especially when it comes to some of the more technical classes. Overall, it’s not considered one of the hardest degrees out there, but it does require dedication and a genuine interest in the field. If you're into exercise and health, you'll likely find it relatively engaging and worthwhile!

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 from Grand Valley State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Exercise Science grads from Grand Valley State University, it seems like they’ve navigated a pretty decent range of job opportunities, especially in the health and fitness fields which can be quite lucrative. The ones in physical therapy and nursing are likely pulling in solid salaries, likely above average for recent grads, especially as they gain more experience. Others, like those in fitness and recreation, may start off a bit slower in the earnings department, but positions like 'General Manager' at an athletic facility can definitely boost income as they move up the ladder. Overall, while not everyone might be rolling in cash right away, many of these people are on paths that should lead to good money as they gain experience and advance in their careers!

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 is across all Exercise Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Grand Valley State University). 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