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

First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Kinesiology 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, 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 graduate.

See the details:

View a random Kinesiology 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 2014 from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Kinesiology. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Chiropractor
Grace Family Chiropractic
Jul 2019 - Nov 2021
As a chiropractor at Grace Family Chiropractic, this position directly applies the knowledge and skills acquired from a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, particularly in human anatomy, biomechanics, and rehabilitation methods.

Chiropractor/Owner
Magnolia Chiropractic
Nov 2021 - Present
In the role of Chiropractor/Owner at Magnolia Chiropractic, the individual utilizes the principles of kinesiology comprehensively, including assessments and treatment strategies that are central to chiropractic care.

Chiropractor
Self-employed
Jun 2024 - Present
Being self-employed as a chiropractor allows the individual to apply their kinesiology expertise continuously, focusing on physical rehabilitation and patient care directly related to their academic training.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Chiropractic
Life University
2015 - 2019
ABOUT

No information provided.

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

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


After looking through the various LinkedIn profiles of people who graduated with a degree in Kinesiology from Penn State University, it seems like the most common job types relate to physical therapy or fitness. A significant number of grads ended up working as physical therapists, physical therapy aides, and even chiropractors. These roles make a lot of sense considering Kinesiology is all about understanding human movement, anatomy, and rehabilitation practices—exactly what you need for those jobs! For instance, many of them are involved in hands-on patient care, where they directly apply the skills they learned in their Kinesiology programs.

However, not all jobs these graduates took were actually aligned with their specialized education. A good chunk of them also went into unrelated fields like sales or editorial roles, which don’t really tap into their Kinesiology knowledge. For example, several alumni have worked as sales representatives or editors in media, which indicate a deviation from their Kinesiology background. So, while it’s clear that many Kinesiology graduates are working in relevant fields related to physical health, there are definitely some that have taken a completely different path, showing that a Kinesiology degree can lead to a variety of career opportunities—even if they don't always relate directly to the field.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Kinesiology graduates (this is across all Kinesiology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Penn State University):

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

When looking at the career paths of Kinesiology graduates from Penn State University, you can notice some clear trends emerging. For many of these folks, their first jobs tend to be in related fields, especially in the world of physical therapy, coaching, or health and fitness roles. For example, graduates make their way into positions like physical therapy aides or coaches, which align nicely with their academic background. However, some take unexpected turns, like one grad who ventured into journalism and climbed the ranks to editor roles, showing that not everyone sticks closely to their Kinesiology roots right away.

Fast forward five to ten years down the line, and you’ll see quite a few of these graduates really establishing careers in health-related fields. Many have successfully become licensed physical therapists, chiropractors, or occupational therapists, which is fantastic considering the degree they pursued. Others have found success in healthcare sales and management roles, which might seem a bit of a detour but still ties back into the health and wellness industry. Overall, while some grads may have taken longer or more winding routes, many do seem to find themselves in fulfilling careers that connect back to the Kinesiology field, contributing to health and wellness as they move through their professional lives. So, if you’re thinking about this degree and what you might do with it, there are definitely solid opportunities to dive into health and fitness careers right after college and over time!

How hard is a Kinesiology degree from Penn State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology can vary in difficulty depending on your interests and strengths, but at Penn State University, it’s generally considered to be on the moderate side. If you’re into sports science, biology, and human anatomy, you might find the coursework pretty engaging and manageable, but there will definitely be some challenging classes that require a solid grasp of science and stats. Course loads can be heavy, especially when you have labs and practical work, so it can get demanding. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re passionate about the subject, it can be a fulfilling experience!

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.

Do Kinesiology graduates from Penn State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Kinesiology graduates from Penn State, it seems like they’re on pretty solid career paths, especially in physical therapy and coaching roles. The first graduate who became a physical therapist has been with a health network for several years now, which indicates a reliable income, likely in the mid-to-high range for health professionals. The journalism grad climbed the ranks to Editor in Chief at a well-known outlet, which probably pays pretty well too. Meanwhile, several graduates are working as physical therapists, chiropractors, or in related fields, which generally offer decent salaries. Even the newer folks seem to be getting their feet wet in jobs that may lead to something more lucrative soon. So overall, it looks like these people are doing quite well for themselves career-wise!

What buzzwords do Kinesiology 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 (this is across all Kinesiology 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?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Kinesiology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Penn State University 72 12
Arizona State University 57 12