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

First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from Penn 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 32 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from Penn State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 72%
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, 71% 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 Penn 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 2015 from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Program Coordinator-Campus Recreation-Fitness and Wellbeing at Penn State University
Penn State University
Mar 2016 - Aug 2021
The position of Program Coordinator-Campus Recreation-Fitness and Wellbeing directly utilizes knowledge and skills from a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree, focusing on fitness programming and well-being initiatives.

Community Health Educator-Health Promotion and Wellness at Penn State University
Penn State University
Aug 2021 - Aug 2022
As a Community Health Educator, this role extensively applies the principles of health promotion and kinesiology, making it highly relevant to the individuals degree.

Assistant Director-Health Promotion and Wellness at Penn State University
Penn State University
Aug 2022 - Present
The role of Assistant Director-Health Promotion and Wellness requires a deep understanding of health and wellness strategies that align closely with the skills and knowledge acquired in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Education - M.Ed
Liberty University
2019 - 2020
ABOUT

During my 7-years of honorable military service, I was exposed to a variety of cultures, ideals, and values both stateside and abroad. I have applied many lifelong teachings to the civilian sector most notably within higher education.

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

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


When looking at what people with a degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Penn State University have gone on to do, it’s super clear that a lot of them are working in jobs that are really relevant to their studies. The most common roles seem to be in physical therapy. Many graduates have taken up that path, where they use their understanding of human movement, anatomy, and rehabilitation to help patients recover and improve their physical health. Other popular positions include health education roles and personal training, which also rely on the skills learned during their degree related to fitness, wellness, and physical education.

However, it’s also interesting to note that not every job these graduates have taken relates directly to Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Some ended up in roles like dispatchers, sales associates, or positions that only tangentially touched on health and fitness. These positions usually focus more on administrative or customer service skills, rather than the exercise science principles they studied. So while there is a strong connection for many, there are definitely a few who ventured off into other fields that don’t make full use of their Kinesiology and Exercise Science background.

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 Penn State University):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Penn State's Kinesiology and Exercise Science program, it's pretty clear that many of them have landed in roles related to health and physical therapy right after graduation. For instance, a significant number have started their careers as physical therapists or have gained experience as physical therapy aides or interns. This hands-on experience tends to set them up well to advance in their career path. Over the first five years following graduation, many continue to build on these initial roles, often moving into more specialized positions within physical therapy, coaching, or health education. They might also get involved in academia as clinical instructors, demonstrating that there’s a clear pathway to furthering not just their careers, but also their areas of expertise.

However, it's not all smooth sailing. Some graduates took on jobs that are less directly related to Kinesiology and Exercise Science, such as dispatching or managing roles in different fields. While it seems like most of the graduates who stuck closely to their degree have found good long-term careers, there's also a noticeable number who veered off into unrelated paths a few years down the line. Yet, many who stayed in the field have reached positions of responsibility, like clinic directors or program managers, showing that with persistence and the right experience, these kinesiology grads can indeed find fulfilling careers that align with their studies. All in all, if you’re considering a career in this area, it looks like there’s a lot of promise—especially if you’re passionate about health and fitness!

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

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at Penn State can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. On one hand, if you have a passion for fitness, movement, and the human body, it can be really engaging and enjoyable, which makes the work feel less like a grind. There are definitely some challenging courses in areas like anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, which require a solid understanding of science and a commitment to studying. Overall, I’d say it’s around average in terms of difficulty for a degree. You'll have your moments of stress, but if you're interested in the subject and stay on top of your studies, you should be able to handle it just fine!

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 Penn State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Kinesiology and Exercise Science grads from Penn State, it seems like many of them have been able to land some solid jobs, especially in the health and physical therapy fields, which generally pay fairly well. For example, physical therapists often have good earning potential, and several of these grads have moved up to higher positions, like clinic manager or even working in specialized areas. However, there are also folks who went into teaching or coaching positions, which might not be as lucrative, especially in the early stages. Overall, while some have definitely carved out a path to decent salaries, especially in healthcare and coaching roles, others might be starting off on a lower income trajectory. It really just depends on the direction they took after graduation.

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 Penn 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