Best Colleges for Sports Management & Kinesiology in 2025–26

30 colleges with strong sports management & kinesiology programs, ranked by size and selectivity.

California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA

90.5% acceptance$7,470 in-state

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, TX

72.7% acceptance$11,852 in-state

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

84.6% acceptance$8,410 in-state

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, VA

71.5% acceptance$14,250 in-state

Miami University-Oxford

Oxford, OH

75.4% acceptance$18,161 in-state

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, CA

$1,166 in-state

California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA

95.1% acceptance$8,082 in-state

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC

88.5% acceptance$7,661 in-state

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA

92.7% acceptance$8,472 in-state

Post University

Waterbury, CT

$16,327 in-state

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

Bowling Green, OH

81% acceptance$14,460 in-state

Los Angeles Valley College

Valley Glen, CA

$1,238 in-state

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Lafayette, LA

87% acceptance$10,418 in-state

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN

88.4% acceptance$9,572 in-state

The University of Tampa

Tampa, FL

40.3% acceptance$34,408 in-state

Coastal Carolina University

Conway, SC

75.3% acceptance$11,640 in-state

University of Central Oklahoma

Edmond, OK

78.1% acceptance$8,818 in-state

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI

79.6% acceptance$16,240 in-state

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI

89.8% acceptance$14,760 in-state

East Texas A&M University

Commerce, TX

92.2% acceptance$10,026 in-state

Southeastern Louisiana University

Hammond, LA

99.3% acceptance$8,373 in-state

Norco College

Norco, CA

$1,428 in-state

California Baptist University

Riverside, CA

84.9% acceptance$41,228 in-state

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO

82% acceptance$9,927 in-state

College of San Mateo

San Mateo, CA

$1,332 in-state

The University of Texas at Tyler

Tyler, TX

94% acceptance$9,736 in-state

Marshall University

Huntington, WV

95.7% acceptance$9,162 in-state

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, KY

98.8% acceptance$9,875 in-state

California State University-Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA

97.4% acceptance$7,779 in-state

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock, PA

71.5% acceptance$10,568 in-state

About sports management & kinesiology as a major

Sports Management and Kinesiology are two overlapping but distinct paths in sports-related careers. Sports management is essentially a business degree with a sports specialization — leading to athletic department roles, agent work, marketing for athletic brands, ticketing/operations at pro teams, and increasingly esports and sports media. Kinesiology is the scientific study of human movement, leading to careers as personal trainers, physical therapists (with DPT graduate degree), athletic trainers, exercise physiologists, and pre-medical fields. The career ceiling differs significantly: top sports management roles (general manager, agent, executive) can pay 7 figures but represent a tiny share of grads; kinesiology + DPT graduate degree leads to physical therapy careers with $90,000+ steady income but a clearer ceiling. For both, hands-on experience matters enormously — internships, work-study in athletic departments, volunteering at sports events.

Salary range

$40,000 – $55,000 starting in sports operations; $90,000-$110,000 mid-career physical therapy (after DPT); top sports agents and executives earn millions

Study path

4-year BS or BA in Sports Management OR Kinesiology/Exercise Science. Sports Mgmt core: sports law → marketing → finance → operations → senior internship. Kinesiology core: anatomy → physiology → biomechanics → exercise prescription → senior research/clinical experience. PT path requires Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT, 3 additional years).

How to choose a sports management & kinesiology program

Programs affiliated with Division I athletic departments offer unmatched practical experience. Look for internship pipelines to professional sports organizations, athletic brands, or sports media companies. Consider whether you want the business side (sports management — career path goes through marketing, finance, ops, or agent work) or the science side (kinesiology — career path goes through health professions, often requires graduate degree). For pre-physical-therapy students, choose kinesiology or exercise science with strong DPT prerequisites and shadow-hours requirements. The University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Michigan, Ohio State, Northwestern, and Florida State have particularly strong sports management programs with pro-team alumni networks.

Common career paths for sports management & kinesiology graduates

Sports Agent, Athletic Director, Personal Trainer, Physical Therapist (DPT), Sports Marketing Manager, Athletic Trainer, Sports Analyst, Pro Team Operations, Coach, Exercise Physiologist, Strength and Conditioning Coach

Real careers, real salaries

See all →
Athletic Trainer / Coach$58K
+14% by 2032

Scholarships for sports management & kinesiology students

There are scholarships specifically for students studying sports management & kinesiology. Search our database to find awards you qualify for.

Find sports management & kinesiology scholarships →
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Last updated: November 2025. Live acceptance rates and tuition pulled from each college's most recent reporting.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.