What can you do with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 63%
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, 54% 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 Massachusetts Amherst and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Registered Nurse
IntelyCare
Feb 2019 - Present
As a Registered Nurse, some knowledge of human anatomy and physiological concepts from Kinesiology and Exercise Science may be utilized, but the core qualifications and daily responsibilities require specific nursing training that is not encompassed by this degree.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Associate's degree
Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital School of Nursing
2015 - 2018
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

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


When looking at the job trajectories of graduates from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree, it seems there’s a mix of roles that are both relevant and somewhat off-the-mark. A significant portion of those who graduated landed positions that are directly tied to their field, particularly in areas like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and strength and conditioning coaching. These roles, such as Physical Therapist and Assistant Athletic Trainer, require a solid understanding of human movement and exercise principles, reflecting a strong relevance to their studies.

However, there’s also a noticeable trend of graduates stepping into roles that don’t utilize their Kinesiology education at all. Positions like Administrative Assistant or even certain roles in the food service industry have little to do with Kinesiology or exercise science knowledge. This indicates that while many graduates find their way into related careers, a sizable number also venture into other fields where their degree may not be directly applicable. Overall, it appears that while there are solid opportunities in health and exercise-related professions, not every graduate ends up using their degree in a way that’s closely aligned with their training.

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 Massachusetts Amherst):

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

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the Kinesiology and Exercise Science program at UMass Amherst, it’s clear that there's a mix of success stories and more deviation from the field. Right after graduation, many tend to find jobs related to healthcare, such as physical therapy aides or administrative roles within health-related organizations. Others opt for jobs that may seem unrelated, like teaching or hospitality, reflecting perhaps a need for immediate income or a change in career direction. Over time, we start to see some graduates transitioning into more significant roles or relevant fields, especially in occupational therapy or physical therapy, which aligns closely with their degree.

By the five to ten-year mark, quite a few of these alumni have managed to solidify their careers within the health sector, becoming occupational therapists or physical therapists, which are super relevant to their studies in kinesiology. However, certain graduates still seem to be in roles that are quite disconnected from their degree, such as positions in administrative support or service industries. This contrast suggests that while some graduates find fulfilling paths directly tied to their studies, others may face challenges breaking into the more specialized aspects of kinesiology and exercise science. So, it’s a bit of a mixed bag—while there are indeed optimistic paths leading to rewarding careers, some don't fully leverage the potential of their degree in the long term.

How hard is a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you're into science, anatomy, and staying active, you might find it engaging rather than tough. The coursework involves a fair amount of biology and anatomy, and you’ll definitely have to study hard for things like biomechanics and exercise physiology. That said, a lot of students enjoy the hands-on aspects and the real-world applications of what they’re learning, which can make it more enjoyable. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you're passionate about it, you might find it more fun than a slog!

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 Massachusetts Amherst tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these UMass Amherst Kinesiology and Exercise Science grads, it seems like there's a mix of salaries going around. The math teacher from 2011 is probably making a steady salary but not breaking the bank, while the nurse and occupational therapists likely earn decent money, especially as they gain experience. The 2021 grad landing a job with the Boston Red Sox is definitely on the higher end of the scale, but some of the others have more entry-level jobs or part-time gigs that might not pay as well. Overall, it looks like a few are doing pretty well financially, while others are still making their way up the ladder—so it really varies!

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 Massachusetts Amherst). 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