Fitness training can be found at numerous 4-year universities and colleges nationwide. These schools offer programs for students interested in becoming certified personal trainers, group instructors, managers or specialists in areas such as yoga or exercise training.
Top Schools for Fitness Training Education
The schools in the table all offer undergraduate and graduate programs in kinesiology/exercise science.
| College/University | Location | Institution Type | Degrees Offered | Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2015-2016)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, Graduate Certificate | $13,856 (in-state) $43,476 (out-of-state) |
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | $15,054 (in-state) $30,214 (out-of-state) |
| University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | $11,622 (in-state) $29,832 (out-of-state) |
| University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | $9,806 (in-state) $34,676 (out-of-state) |
| University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | $13,790 (in-state) $22,210 (out-of-state) |
| Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem, NC | 4-year, Private | Bachelor's, Master's | $47,682 |
| Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | $17,514 (in-state) $31,346 (out-of-state) |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, MI | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | $13,560 (in-state) $36,360 (out-of-state) |
| University of Massachusetts at Amherst | Amherst, MA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | $14,171 (in-state) $30,504 (out-of-state) |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | 4-year, Public | Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate | $15,192 (in-state) $44,365 (out-of-state) |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
School Selection Criteria
Consider the following when looking for schools with programs in fitness training.
- Check that the program you're applying to prepares you for certification in your preferred area or areas, such as personal fitness, kinesiology or exercise training.
- Make sure the school not only has proper classrooms, but also good training facilities, exercise equipment and the specialized gear needed to develop and measure fitness.
- Take into account the program's reputation, finding out the graduate success rate to determine how many graduates have entered their chosen field.
- Look for schools that offer hands-on teaching, practical training experience, and internships.
Degree programs in fitness training are available from the bachelor's to the doctoral level at most colleges. The curricula typically varies by program, so ensure that your selected program covers the area you wish to work in, and see that the school has adequate training facilities before making a decision.
