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

First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from San Diego State University-California 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from San Diego State University-California State University have a much lower likelihood (-18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 49%
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, 46% 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 San Diego State University-California 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 2012 from San Diego State University-California State University with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Occupational Therapist Assistant Student
Stanbridge College
Sep 2012 - Jun 2014
As an Occupational Therapist Assistant Student, the role directly aligns with the education obtained in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, requiring knowledge of human movement and rehabilitation techniques.

COTA
Country Villa Oxnard Manor Healthcare Center
Aug 2014 - Jun 2015
Working as a COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) directly utilizes skills and knowledge from the Bachelor's in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, as it involves helping patients with rehabilitation and physical therapy.

COTA
Victoria Care Center
Jun 2015 - Present
The position of COTA at Victoria Care Center involves applying the principles and knowledge acquired in Kinesiology and Exercise Science to assist in patient care and rehabilitation, making it highly relevant.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Associate's degree
Stanbridge College
2012 - 2014
ABOUT

No information provided.

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

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


After analyzing the job paths of graduates with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from San Diego State University, it's clear that many of them have taken quite varied routes. A significant number of individuals have landed positions like athletic trainers, personal trainers, and physical therapy aides, which directly relate to their studies. In these roles, their academic knowledge is put to work in real-world settings, focusing on rehabilitation, injury prevention, and athlete care. On the flip side, some graduates have ventured into areas like administrative and management positions where their Kinesiology degree isn't really utilized. For instance, roles such as office managers and customer service representatives focus on skills totally unrelated to exercise science, which might make you wonder about the connection between their education and career choices.

Overall, while there are definitely strong links between many graduates' roles and their degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science—especially in athletic training, personal training, and therapy settings—a noticeable chunk has strayed into fields where their education's relevance is minimal. This mix shows that while Kinesiology opens the door to exciting opportunities in health and fitness, not every job post-graduation directly leverages those critical skills. It really highlights the importance of networking and seeking out roles that align with your studies if you want to make the most of your Kinesiology degree!

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-California State University):

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

Looking at the career paths of graduates from San Diego State University with degrees in Kinesiology and Exercise Science, it becomes pretty clear that many start off in jobs that are directly related to their field, like athletic trainers, physical therapy aides, or personal trainers. For those who graduated in the early 2010s, we see a notable trend where many found roles in athletic training or sports-related positions initially. Even after a few years, many of them continued to stick around in similar health and wellness roles, such as massage therapy or physical therapy. It does seem that these graduates are taking steps to stay within the realm of health and exercise-related careers, which is a positive sign.

However, after looking deeper, it’s a mixed bag when you check the longer term trajectories, especially around the 5- to 10-year mark. While some individuals have progressed in their careers within the fitness and health spectrum—like those moving into senior roles in physical therapy or even founding their own wellness-related businesses—others have transitioned into jobs that are less aligned with Kinesiology, such as management positions in non-health sectors or roles like customer service. This suggests that while many start strong in relevant fields, the paths can diverge significantly over time, with some eventually seeking opportunities outside traditional Kinesiology and Exercise Science-focused roles. Overall, it's clear that while many graduates do find solid initial roles, their longer-term careers can take various directions, not all of which stay in their field of study.

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

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science is generally manageable, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. At San Diego State University, like many other schools, the program dives into subjects like anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, so if science isn't your strong suit, you might find it a bit of a challenge. That said, if you're passionate about fitness and exercise, you'll probably enjoy the coursework, which makes it feel less daunting. Overall, I'd say it's about average in terms of difficulty—some people find it easier because they love the material, while others might struggle with the science-heavy classes. Just make sure to stay organized and reach out for help when you need it!

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 San Diego State University-California State University tend to make good money?

From what I can tell, these Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from San Diego State University have had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. Some, like the person who climbed up to a senior corporate role at Zendesk, likely pulled in a decent salary, especially as they moved into higher management positions. On the flip side, others have worked as personal trainers, athletic coaches, or therapists, which maybe doesn't pay as well—especially in the earlier years when they're just starting out. Overall, while it's clear that some of them are likely making good money now, several others might still be grinding it out in the more modestly paid positions, particularly in entry-level roles. So, it really depends on the specific job and career path they've chosen!

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 San Diego State University-California 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