First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from San Diego 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 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from San Diego State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) 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.
Also, after graduating, 42% 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:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from San Diego State University with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONVolunteerSelect Medical Physical Therapy Mar 2021 - Jun 2021 Volunteer Justine Sherman & Associates, Inc. Aug 2021 - Aug 2021 Volunteer Physical Therapy Network Solutions Aug 2021 - Oct 2021 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGPostgraduate DegreeChapman University 2022 - 2022 ABOUTIn high school, I demonstrated four years of loyalty and dedication with the girls Varsity Basketball team that won consecutive championships my first two years. I received our divisions CIF Most Valuable Player my sophomore year. I became the team captain for my last two years that taught me valuable leadership skills that I still use today. Now in college, I am a senior, majoring in Kinesiology, Pre- Physical Therapy. I am one of the nine people chosen from the incoming Class of 2021 to received the Presidential Scholars Scholarship for all four years. This led me to become the Communications officer for the Presidential Scholars Leadership Association and the Teachers Assistant for the Class of 2022 Presidential Scholars. I also am a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, previous President of the SDSU Red Cross Club and enrolled in the Weber Honors College at San Diego State University. Recently, I am fortunate enough to represent Kaplan Test Prep and work alongside them as Student Brand Ambassador. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of graduates from San Diego State University with degrees in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, it seems like many have found themselves working in physical therapy-related roles, which are directly relevant to their studies. Jobs like Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy Aide, and Student Physical Therapist make up a significant portion of their positions, demonstrating a strong connection between the education they received and their job responsibilities. These roles typically utilize the knowledge and skills gained from their education, such as understanding human movement, rehabilitation techniques, and exercise principles.
However, not every job holds the same relevance to Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Many graduates have taken roles in fields like customer service, administration, and coaching, which may not directly require their specialized knowledge. Positions such as Office Administrator, Customer Service Representative, and Sales Specialist seem to stray away from the core elements of kinesiology. While these jobs may utilize some transferable skills like communication or organization, they don’t fully leverage the expertise related to physical health or exercise science. Overall, it’s a mixed bag—while many are directly applying what they learned, there’s a noticeable portion of graduates who have ventured into roles that don’t tap into their education as deeply as one might expect.
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 San Diego State University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from San Diego State University's Kinesiology and Exercise Science programs, it seems like those who pursued hands-on roles in physical therapy and athletic training are generally doing well in relevant fields. Many individuals kick off their careers as student physical therapists or aides, often working their way up to actual licensed physical therapists within a few years. This is pretty common for graduates, as they tend to pursue physical therapy as a primary path, enabling them to build valuable experience and skills. The majority who stick with this line of work seem to advance to higher positions, like clinic or center directors, within five to ten years.
On the flip side, while some graduates have taken a more diverse range of jobs in areas like sales or administrative roles, those paths seem less connected to Kinesiology. For instance, a few have moved into roles that don’t utilize their exercise science background at all, such as customer service or logistics. However, it looks like most graduates who stay focused on clinical or supportive jobs in physical therapy are more likely to find fulfilling careers that relate directly to their studies. Overall, for those who are dedicated to the field, there are definitely good career opportunities that arise from a degree in Kinesiology from SDSU.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, whether at San Diego State University or somewhere else, can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s not considered one of the hardest degrees out there, but it definitely has its challenges, especially if you’re not super into biology or anatomy. You’ll be diving into subjects like human movement, exercise physiology, and biomechanics, which can get pretty technical. If you’re passionate about fitness and sports, it might feel more engaging and less like a slog. But expect to put in some solid study time, especially when it comes to lab work and exams. Overall, it’s definitely doable for most students as long as you're ready to commit to the coursework!
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.
So, looking at these graduates from San Diego State University's Kinesiology and Exercise Science program, it kind of seems like their earnings have been all over the place. Some of them really hit the jackpot with solid roles as physical therapists, who typically make a decent salary, like the grad who worked at BEST LIFE PHYSICAL THERAPY. On the flip side, others started out in more entry-level jobs like customer service and admin roles, which generally don’t pay that well. You've got a couple of folks who seem to be climbing the ladder with leadership positions in healthcare, which is promising for their future income. Overall, if they stick to the physical therapy or health management paths, they could make good money long term, but it’s clear not everyone is on that track just yet.
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 San Diego State University). This may or may not be useful:
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: