What can you do with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 58%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have a lower likelihood (-9%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 58%
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, 50% 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 Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduate.

See the details:

View a random Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduate from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Physical Therapist
All Star Physical Therapy
Mar 2016 - Sep 2017
As a Physical Therapist at All Star Physical Therapy, this position directly utilizes knowledge and skills in kinesiology and exercise science, which are foundational to physical therapy practice.

Physical Therapist
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Sep 2017 - Present
The role of Physical Therapist at Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation also requires the application of kinesiology and exercise science principles daily, making it highly relevant to the individual's degree.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Physical Therapy - DPT
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
2013 - 2015
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

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


When looking at the job paths of graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with degrees in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, it seems like there's a pretty mixed bag of outcomes. On one hand, you'll find quite a few graduates landing roles in the fitness and healthcare sectors, such as Physical Therapists and Exercise Specialists, where they directly apply their knowledge from their degree. These positions are highly relevant and make use of their training in biomechanics, rehabilitation, and exercise programming. However, there are also many grads stepping into roles like marketing, sales, and even design, which don’t utilize their kinesiology knowledge in any meaningful way. For example, jobs such as Campaign Manager or Digital Designer have a totally different focus and don't benefit from an educational background in exercise science.

Overall, while there are some strong connections to Kinesiology and Exercise Science in areas like physical therapy, athletic training, and fitness coaching, it’s clear that a significant number of graduates end up in jobs where their degree isn't a critical factor. So, if you're considering this field and want to ensure you’re doing work related to your studies, it might be good to focus on internships or job opportunities that align more closely with exercise science principles. Ultimately, it looks like a mix of passion and opportunity will guide these graduates to where they truly want to be in their careers.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates (this is across all Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo):

What kind of career trajectories do Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with degrees in Kinesiology and Exercise Science tend to pursue a pretty diverse range of career paths. Many of them start off in roles that are quite relevant to their field, like physical therapy or coaching, which makes sense given their background. For instance, recent grads often secure positions as physical therapists, strength and conditioning coaches, or athletic trainers right out of school. That initial job usually sets the stage for them to branch out into more specialized or managerial roles as they gain experience. For example, some have advanced to director positions in athletic operations or landed roles in sports technology, which shows a nice progression in their careers.

However, not every grad sticks strictly to kinesiology-related roles. Some venture off into marketing, sales, or even teaching positions, which might not feel as directly connected to their degree. For instance, a grad might start in a physical therapy role but later transition to a marketing position with an organization tied to health and fitness. Over time, we see that about 5 to 10 years into their careers, many are in increasingly senior roles—some as physical therapy directors or athletic directors, while others might be leading marketing campaigns in sports organizations. Overall, while some grads find themselves in jobs that drift away from the core of kinesiology, many are carving out successful and relevant career paths that utilize their education effectively. So it looks like there's a mix of staying true to the field and exploring other interests as they build their professional lives.

How hard is a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science can be pretty challenging, especially at a school like Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which has a reputation for being rigorous. You’ll be diving into a mix of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and even some psychology, which can get pretty intense. The coursework is definitely on the demanding side, with a lot of hands-on labs and practical applications to keep you engaged, but it’s also super rewarding if you’re into fitness and wellness. Overall, it's not necessarily the hardest major out there, but it does require a good amount of dedication and a genuine interest in the field to really thrive.

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 Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

Do Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo tend to make good money?

So, looking at the job trajectories of these Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from Cal Poly SLO, it seems like they’re doing pretty well overall! A lot of them have landed roles in sports, fitness, and health—like physical therapists, athletic trainers, and even managerial positions—suggesting they’ve been able to climb the ladder. The pay in these fields can vary, but positions like "Director of Football Technology" or "Director of Medical Education" typically come with decent salaries. Others, especially in more creative roles or entry-level gigs, might not be raking in the big bucks right away. Overall, while individual earnings can differ, many appear to be on promising paths that likely lead to solid incomes!

What buzzwords do Kinesiology and 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 Kinesiology and Exercise Science (this is across all Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Kinesiology and Exercise Science?

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

College Score Count
California State University, Long Beach 85 13
Concordia University-St. Paul 82 11
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 80 10
Illinois State University 80 10
Liberty University 77 12
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 76 13
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 76 21
Texas Woman's University 76 13
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 75 10
Saginaw Valley State University 75 12
Michigan State University 74 38
Central Michigan University 74 10
California State University San Marcos 74 14
Iowa State University 73 17
Washington State University 73 15
Appalachian State University 73 17
Western Washington University 73 11
Rutgers University 73 13
The University of Southern Mississippi 73 11
Salisbury University 73 17
Angelo State University 73 11
Penn State University 72 32
Grand Valley State University 72 22
University of Louisville 72 14
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 71 10
Indiana University Bloomington 70 42
Texas Tech University 70 33
California State University-Long Beach 70 14
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 70 14
University of Rhode Island 69 30
Sonoma State University 69 11
Temple University 68 25
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 68 22
Longwood University 68 13
James Madison University 67 15
University of Delaware 66 21
California State University, Northridge 66 28
Towson University 65 25
Auburn University 64 24
The University of Texas at San Antonio 64 35
Bowling Green State University 63 11
University of Massachusetts Amherst 63 11
Louisiana State University 62 40
San Diego State University 62 21
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 62 25
University of Louisiana at Lafayette 62 12
Oregon State University 61 21
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) 61 14
Tarleton State University 61 12
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 61 11
Virginia Commonwealth University 60 22
Western Kentucky University 60 12
State University of New York College at Cortland 60 17
Truman State University 60 10
University of Utah 59 21
University of Illinois at Chicago 59 16
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick 59 13
University of North Texas 58 27
San Francisco State University 58 27
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 58 14
California State University, Fullerton 58 39
University of Maryland 58 19
University of South Carolina 58 17
Stephen F. Austin State University 58 20
Purdue University 57 11
University of Michigan 56 12
San Jose State University 56 18
Florida Atlantic University 56 10
Kansas State University 56 15
Northern Illinois University 56 13
Utah State University 56 10
Louisiana Tech University 56 11
Arizona State University 55 24
Texas A&M University 55 25
University of Houston 55 25
Miami University 55 13
College of Charleston 55 12
Georgia State University 54 16
University of Kentucky 54 25
Georgia Southern University 54 41
The University of Texas at Austin 53 21
The University of Texas at Arlington 53 30
California State University, Fresno 53 18
California State University, Monterey Bay 53 17
Colorado Mesa University 53 12
The University of Alabama 52 12
Sam Houston State University 52 27
University of Maryland College Park 52 17
California Baptist University 52 11
Brigham Young University 51 26
Texas State University 51 17
California State University-Northridge 51 10
California State University-Fullerton 51 10
Eastern Illinois University 51 19
Mississippi State University 50 21
California State University-Sacramento 49 25
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 49 21
San Diego State University-California State University 49 13
University of Arkansas 47 18
University of Mississippi 45 16