What can you do with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from Illinois State University?

First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from Illinois 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? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from Illinois State University have a much higher likelihood (+13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 80%
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 Illinois State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2023 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Physician Assistant Student
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
May 2023 - Present
The position as a Physician Assistant Student directly engages with knowledge and skills related to Kinesiology and Exercise Science, specifically in understanding human physiology and movement, which are core qualifications for a career in healthcare.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
2023 - 2025
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from Illinois State University?

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


From the list of LinkedIn profiles, it seems that graduates from Illinois State University with a degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science have taken on a variety of jobs, with many of them being directly related to their field. Common roles include Sports Performance Specialists, Personal Trainers, Strength Coaches, and various positions within fitness or rehabilitation settings. These jobs typically make use of the knowledge and skills learned in their degree program, especially in areas like human movement, exercise physiology, and athletic performance, which are essential for effectively working in fitness or therapy environments.

However, there are also quite a few cases where graduates have ended up in positions that are not very relevant to Kinesiology and Exercise Science. For example, roles in banking, general assistance internships, and even insurance sales have appeared among their job choices. While some might argue that any job can be a stepping stone to another career, it seems clear that a significant portion of these graduates have moved into roles that utilize their education and training effectively, helping them make a real impact in the fields of health, fitness, and rehabilitation.

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 Illinois State University):

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

Graduates from Illinois State University with degrees in Kinesiology and Exercise Science seem to have a range of career trajectories that generally align with the field. Many of them kick off their professional journeys in roles that are pretty closely tied to exercise and sports, like personal trainers, strength coaches, or sports performance specialists. For instance, people graduating in the early 2010s often moved into jobs at sports performance facilities or took on internships that set them up for more specialized roles in the health and fitness industry. There’s a solid trend of starting out in hands-on positions that build relevant experience, which can be a great foundation for future growth.

Fast forward a few years, and you’ll see some of these graduates advancing into more specialized or higher-level roles—like occupational therapists, advanced practice nurses, or even directors in fitness organizations. It’s impressive how some have climbed the ladder within a relatively short span, tapping into their kinesiology background in ways that might not have seemed obvious right after graduation. Of course, not every path leads directly to a Kinesiology-focused role; some individuals took detours into areas like banking or management. Overall, while there are a few deviations from the field, many graduates are finding successful and fulfilling careers that relate to their studies, which is encouraging for anyone considering this major. It’s a reminder that while the journey can vary, the potential for a relevant career is definitely there!

How hard is a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from Illinois State University?

Hey there! So, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at Illinois State University—or pretty much anywhere else—can be pretty manageable if you're into sports, fitness, and health. The courses usually cover stuff about human movement, anatomy, and maybe even some nutrition, which can be really interesting if you’re passionate about those topics. But you will have to deal with some science and math classes that can be a bit tricky for those who don’t love numbers. Overall, it's not the hardest degree out there, especially if you put in the effort and stay organized, but it can definitely get challenging at times—just like any other degree!

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 Illinois State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Kinesiology and Exercise Science grads from Illinois State University, it's clear they’ve got some pretty varied job paths, and it seems like they’re doing alright for themselves financially, but it's a mixed bag. The ones who became Occupational Therapists or Advanced Practice Nurses are probably raking in a decent paycheck, as those fields tend to pay well. On the flip side, some of the others, like personal trainers or fitness center managers, might not be making as much right off the bat, especially if they were starting out as interns or part-timers. Overall, there’s potential for good earnings down the road, especially if they keep climbing the career ladder or branching out into specialized roles, but early in their careers, it looks like some are earning more than others.

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 Illinois State University). 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