What can you do with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from University of Illinois at Chicago?

First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from University of Illinois at Chicago 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from University of Illinois at Chicago have a lower likelihood (-8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 59%
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, 75% 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 University of Illinois at Chicago and our analysis:


Relevance score: 98%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Kineiology in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Health and Wellness Intern
Advocate Health Care
Jan 2016 - Apr 2016
The Health and Wellness Intern role may require some knowledge related to kinesiology and exercise science, but it is more focused on general health promotion rather than the core qualifications of the degree.

Program Coordinator for Massage Therapy Program
Northwestern College
Mar 2014 - Aug 2016
As Program Coordinator for the Massage Therapy Program, this job requires direct application of concepts from kinesiology and exercise science, making it highly relevant.

Screening Coordinator / Health Promotion Specialist
Franciscan Health
Feb 2019 - Jan 2023
The role of Screening Coordinator / Health Promotion Specialist involves using knowledge of kinesiology and exercise science to promote health and wellness, aligning closely with the degree's core subjects.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Benedictine University
2013 - 2016
ABOUT

Health education professional with a Masters in Public Health (M.P.H.), a Certification in Health Education and Promotion and a certification in Epidimiology from Benedictine University. Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology with an emphasizes in Exercise Science from UIC. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).Experience developing and executing health screenings in a hospital setting. Skilled in educating patients and the community on health behaviors and health maintenance. Experience collaborating with departments and healthcare facilities to ensure clients health needs are meet. Involved in data collection and statistical analysis. Experienced Associate Professor in allied health and massage therapy. Experienced Program Coordinator developing courses, program assessments, policies and procedures, goals, and learning outcomes.Experience in exercise science (for both rehab and general health improvement), chiropractic care and alternative healthcare. Thirteen years in the massage therapy field; working independently and in a variety of settings. Skilled in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, presentations, Educational planning and development, Student Development, and Massage therapy.

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

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


The most common types of jobs for graduates with a degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the University of Illinois at Chicago revolve heavily around physical therapy and rehabilitation services. Many individuals have taken on roles as Physical Therapists, Rehabilitation Specialists, or in similar positions where they get to apply their knowledge in anatomy, exercise prescription, and rehabilitation techniques daily. This track showcases a clear connection between their education and the jobs they’ve pursued, allowing them to leverage foundational skills learned in their Kinesiology and Exercise Science programs, like human movement and exercise physiology. Additionally, several alumni have found roles like Athletic Trainers or Exercise Physiologists, which also closely align with their studies and utilize the competencies developed throughout their university education.

However, it’s interesting to note that not all graduates have threaded their careers back to their field of study. Some have ventured into areas like nursing, management, or even unrelated sectors like aviation and IT. For instance, while roles in nursing might tap into some elements of human physiology knowledge, the direct connection to Kinesiology and Exercise Science can be more tenuous. In summary, while many graduates successfully harness their backgrounds in Kinesiology and Exercise Science for relevant roles, a significant number end up in positions that don’t utilize their specialized education, reflecting a diverse career path that may or may not align closely with their degrees.

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 University of Illinois at Chicago):

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

Graduates from the University of Illinois at Chicago with degrees in Kinesiology and Exercise Science appear to have pursued a variety of career paths after graduation, with many of them ending up in health-related fields. For their first jobs, many landed roles directly related to physical therapy, rehabilitation, or exercise science, like Physical Therapist Assistants, Exercise Specialists, or positions within fitness facilities. This indicates that right out of school, they often remain within the realm of Kinesiology and Exercise Science, applying their education in practical settings that build their experience and skills.

As time goes on, say about five to ten years after graduation, many seem to solidify their careers within healthcare or physical therapy, climbing the professional ladder. For example, several alums have transitioned from entry-level roles to management or specialized positions in physical therapy or nursing. However, a small number have diverted altogether into unrelated fields like management or finance. Overall, though, the trajectory seems promising with a solid percentage of graduates remaining in careers closely tied to their degree, allowing them to apply their knowledge and skills effectively in helping others maintain health and wellness. So, if you're looking to get into Kinesiology or Exercise Science, it's definitely a field where you can find meaningful work post-graduation!

How hard is a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from University of Illinois at Chicago?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty, and it really depends on your interests and strengths. At a school like the University of Illinois at Chicago, you’ll be diving into topics like anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, which can be pretty challenging if you’re not into science or math. But if you’re passionate about fitness and understanding the human body, it can feel more manageable and even fun. The workload isn’t anything crazy compared to some other majors, but be prepared for some late-night studying and practical lab work. Overall, it's about average in terms of difficulty, so if you keep up with your studies and stay engaged, you’ll likely do 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 University of Illinois at Chicago tend to make good money?

It looks like the Kinesiology and Exercise Science grads from UIC have found paths that generally lead to decent pay, especially if they gravitated toward roles like physical therapists or managers in healthcare settings, as those tend to offer solid salaries with experience. For instance, the physical therapists usually start strong and, with time, can make a good living, especially when they progress to supervisory roles. Similarly, nursing grads also seem to climb the ladder nicely, transitioning from assistants to registered nurses to psychiatric nurse practitioners, which is a pretty lucrative route. But then there are a few in more niche roles, like acupuncturists or fitness trainers, which might not pay as well or have more variable income potential based on clientele. Overall, it seems like many of these grads are making a comfortable living, especially those who stayed in healthcare and rehabilitation services.

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 University of Illinois at Chicago). 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