Today’s physiologists and physical therapists are earning their master’s in kinesiology online! When you need an accredited, flexible, affordable path to the next phase of your career, these programs fit the bill. For instance, a master’s in exercise physiology online offers a curriculum comparable to its on-campus counterpart. Students can even expect to still complete capstone and internship experiences through these degrees. The best online colleges for kinesiology prepare students for licensure, align with current industry standards, and don’t break the bank. However, there is an incredible variation between the most expensive and cheapest online kinesiology degree. The difference is a whopping $54,000!
With that in mind, GetEducated has surveyed 66 master’s in kinesiology online from 50 regionally accredited colleges in the US. Our results are an editorially independent list of “Best Buys” in this field. These degrees cost less than today’s national average while maintaining the highest learning standards and student experiences online.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$19,600
Least Expensive: Fort Hays State University ~$9,553
Most Expensive: The George Washington University ~$63,788
Our data-driven research of public and non-profit colleges creates a genuinely reliable system of scientific rankings. There are no misleading formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and they factually showcase the cheapest master’s in kinesiology online. The online exercise physiology degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Master’s in Kinesiology Online
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fort Hays State University | (KS) | $9,553.60 | All Students |
2 | University of North Georgia | (GA) | $9,690.00 | All Students |
3 | University of the Cumberlands | (KY) | $9,850.00 | All Students |
4 | Northeastern State University | (OK) | $10,916.80 $10,948.80 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | Pittsburg State University | (KS) | $11,872.00 | All Students |
6 | Texas A & M University-Kingsville | (TX) | $12,313.12 $28,688.52 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | Georgia Southern University | (GA) | $12,888.00 | All Students |
8 | Southern Arkansas University | (AR) | $13,254.00 $18,732.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
9 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | (IL) | $13,290.00 | All Students |
10 | Florida Atlantic University | (FL) | $13,385.52 $36,965.16 | In-State Out-of-State |
11 | Delta State University | (MS) | $13,990.00 | All Students |
12 | Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | (TX) | $15,556.60 $33,189.48 | In-State Out-of-State |
13 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana | (LA) | $15,675.00 | All Students |
13 |  Concordia University, St. Paul | (MN) | $15,675.00 $11,550.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
15 | Texas Woman's University | (TX) | $15,733.56 $30,421.56 | In-State Out-of-State |
16 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | (TX) | $16,049.84 | All Students |
17 | Southeastern University | (FL) | $16,350.00 | All Students |
18 | Adams State University | (CO) | $16,400.80 | All Students |
19 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $16,521.30 | All Students |
20 | Illinois State University | (IL) | $16,875.21 $31,220.64 | In-State Out-of-State |
21 |  Aurora University | (IL) | $16,950.00 $7,500.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military |
22 | Hardin-Simmons University | (TX) | $17,170.00 | All Students |
23 | Austin Peay State University | (TN) | $17,782.50 $24,652.50 | In-State Out-of-State |
24 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | (LA) | $18,000.00 | All Students |
25 | University of the Southwest | (NM) | $18,750.00 | All Students |
26 | A T Still University of Health Sciences | (MO) | $18,960.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tennessee Technological University | (TN) | $19,620.00 $23,820.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
 Liberty University | (VA) | $19,741.00 $9,175.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
Lock Haven University (part of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania) Master of Science in Sport Science 14 | (PA) | $19,743.00 $29,058.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
 Calvin University | (MI) | $19,800.00 | All Students | |
Jessup University | (CA) | $19,800.00 | All Students | |
 Concordia University - Nebraska Master of Science in Coaching & Exercise Sciences 14 | (NE) | $19,980.00 | All Students | |
Ashland University | (OH) | $20,230.00 | All Students | |
University of Alabama at Birmingham | (AL) | $20,396.00 | All Students | |
Fresno Pacific University | (CA) | $20,460.00 | All Students | |
Liberty University | (VA) | $20,871.00 $9,725.00 | In-State/Out-of-State Military | |
California Baptist University | (CA) | $20,910.00 | All Students | |
Missouri Baptist University | (MO) | $20,978.00 | All Students | |
Houston Christian University | (TX) | $21,475.00 | All Students | |
Lenoir-Rhyne University | (NC) | $22,110.00 | All Students | |
Parker University | (TX) | $22,215.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $22,521.60 $27,597.60 $18,309.60 | In-State Out-of-State Military | |
Point Loma Nazarene University | (CA) | $22,720.00 | All Students | |
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | (LA) | $23,004.00 | All Students | |
University of Kentucky | (KY) | $23,116.50 | All Students | |
East Tennessee State University | (TN) | $23,272.00 $29,168.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
SUNY College at Plattsburgh | (NY) | $23,736.00 $28,256.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Lasell University | (MA) | $24,196.00 | All Students | |
A T Still University of Health Sciences | (MO) | $24,570.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania Western University | (PA) | $26,275.20 $32,197.20 $21,361.20 | In-State Out-of-State Military | |
University of Mary | (ND) | $27,020.00 | All Students | |
University of Mary | (ND) | $27,693.00 | All Students | |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | (WI) | $31,152.45 $48,711.93 | In-State Out-of-State | |
University of Wisconsin-Madison | (WI) | $31,152.45 $48,711.93 | In-State Out-of-State | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $63,788.00 | All Students | |
The George Washington University | (DC) | $63,788.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Options for this program have changed since publication.
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Summer 2022 review of regionally accredited master’s in kinesiology online programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online master degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for kinesiology and exercise physiology may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best master’s in kinesiology online for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Master’s in Kinesiology Online
If you’re interested in sports performance, physical activity, and overall health, a master’s in kinesiology online may be perfect for you.
While the term can have many definitions, kinesiology is essentially the study of how humans move. How they walk, run, bend, stretch, leap, reach, throw, and twist. It’s the study of exercise and everything that is included in physical activity, including the health benefits and potential risks. It even covers the industries of sports, fitness, and health.
Who Should Consider a Master’s in Kinesiology Online?
Kinesiology is an advanced degree that brings a high level of knowledge on movement, physical performance, and activity. These are advanced degrees that require at least two years of additional study after a bachelor’s. Working professionals with degrees in healthcare, such as nursing or therapy, or science-based degrees like biology and anatomy, are great candidates for these elite programs.
What to Expect from an Exercise Physiology Degree
To gain admission, you’ll not only need an appropriate bachelor’s degree, you’ll also need to meet the school’s GPA requirements. Most programs require at least a 2.5 in previous studies, although some will require a 3.0 or higher.
If you meet the admission requirements, you’ll be exposed to a wide variety of high-quality classes that shape you into a world-class kinesiology professional. The coursework will vary by school, but you can expect a variety of classes that cover the physical body, the fitness and health industries, and the performance of an exercise. Specific classes might include exercise physiology, sports nutrition, and the legal aspects of kinesiology. You’ll study fitness education, research methods, and basic health testing. Once complete, you’ll have the skills required to excel in a variety of health, fitness, and exercise careers.
Master’s degrees can be expensive, but with research and patience, you can find one that meets your specific budget while also fitting your busy schedule. When researching these degrees, we found that the average cost of a master’s in kinesiology online was $19,600, which is a fairly affordable price for two years of study. While the most expensive was over $63,000, the lowest-cost degree came with a price tag under $10,000. So if you are looking for a reasonable price on a high-quality education, there should be a degree that fits your needs.
Top Careers in Kinesiology
Occupational Therapist
- Salary: $85,570
- Education: Master’s
- Experience: None
Occupational therapists help injured, disabled, or ill patients maintain an independent lifestyle by helping them develop or recover basic skills. Their work may include helping someone with flexibility so they can dress themselves, or helping another patient with strength and coordination so they can simply wash the dishes. Overall tasks will include the development of a treatment plan, demonstrating exercises, and helping select equipment and useful tools.
Both the pay and the expected growth for these careers are strong. The median salary is over $85,000, while the top 10% can expect salaries over $123,000. With an expected growth of 17% in ten years, there should be roughly 154,000 occupational therapists by 2030. A master’s in exercise physiology online, therefore, could lead to a career that is both lucrative and stable.
Physical Therapist
- Salary: $95,620
- Education: Doctorate
- Experience: None
Requiring an even more advanced degree, these highly-trained professionals treat injured and sick patients to improve movement and reduce pain. They use a variety of techniques to care for patients who may be suffering from ailments such as arthritis, sprains, or fractures. Their work can encompass exercises or teaching special movements. Physical therapists often specialize in a specific type of patient, such as stroke victims, the elderly, or obese individuals.
Although you need more than a master’s to work in this profession, a master’s in kinesiology online can create a foundation for this career. The growth is expected to be 21%, driven by an aging population as well as the rise of obesity and diabetes. By 2030, it’s estimated that there will be roughly 288,000 jobs for physical therapists in the United States.
Requirements for Licensing
These degrees can bring excellent salaries, but you’ll likely need certifications and licensing. If you pursue the career of an occupational therapist, for example, you’ll need state-mandated licensing. All candidates, regardless of the state, need to pass a national examination through the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy. You could also complete additional certification through the American Occupational Therapy Association, which offers specialized certifications.
As a physical therapist, you’ll need licensing as well. You’ll have to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination, which is administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy. There could be additional requirements depending on where you live.