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CIP 31.0508 Parks, Recreation and Fitness

Sports Studies

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

495

2025 · 42 schools

International share

4.6%

23 international students

Bachelor's degrees

315

4.4% international

Master's degrees

168

4.8% international

Overview

Sports Studies is an interdisciplinary field that examines the various aspects of sports and physical activity in society. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including the history, sociology, psychology, and management of sports. This program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how sports influence culture, identity, and community.

Students in Sports Studies learn about the role of sports in promoting health and wellness, as well as its impact on social issues such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status. The curriculum often includes courses on sports marketing, sports law, ethics in sports, and the psychology of athletes, allowing students to gain insights into both the business and human elements of the sports world.

Moreover, Sports Studies programs often emphasize practical experience, encouraging students to engage in internships, volunteer opportunities, or even research projects related to sports organizations or events. This hands-on approach equips graduates with the skills needed to pursue careers in various fields, including sports management, coaching, sports media, and health promotion.

Overall, Sports Studies is ideal for individuals passionate about sports who wish to explore its multifaceted nature and its significance in contemporary society. With the growing importance of sports globally, graduates from this field can find numerous opportunities to make a meaningful impact in sports and related industries.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2010 to 2025, graduates grew 177% and the international share went from 2.2% to 4.6%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
59.0%
Asian
2.6%
Hispanic
8.3%
Black
18.0%
Other
7.5%
Intl.
4.6%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 42 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#59 Tulane University of Louisiana Louisiana 18 0
#100 University of Iowa Iowa 8 0
#121 University of Arizona Arizona 1 0
#202 University of Massachusetts-Boston Massachusetts 27 1
#227 Ball State University Indiana 5 2
#288 Shenandoah University Virginia 10 1
#317 University of Mary North Dakota 2 0
#376 Concordia University-Saint Paul Minnesota 2 0
#382 National University California 14 0
#382 Post University Connecticut 2 0
#382 Texas Southern University Texas 12 1
LAC #31 Denison University Ohio 27 1
LAC #47 Hillsdale College Michigan 2 0
LAC #83 Earlham College Indiana 6 0
LAC #157 Randolph College Virginia 20 2
LAC #184 Young Harris College Georgia 11 3
— Western Kentucky University Kentucky 70 3
— Manhattanville University New York 33 2
— Springfield College-Regional, Online, and Continuing Education Massachusetts 30 0
— Adler University Illinois 21 1
— Adams State University Colorado 19 0
— Southwestern College Kansas 17 0
— John Carroll University Ohio 14 0
— Springfield College Massachusetts 13 0
— Minnesota State University-Mankato Minnesota 13 1
— Cumberland University Tennessee 12 0
— Erie Community College New York 10 1
— McPherson College Kansas 9 2
— McKendree University Illinois 7 1
— State University of New York at Cortland New York 5 0
— Tiffin University Ohio 5 0
— Ottawa University-Ottawa Kansas 4 0
— Bethel University Indiana 3 0
— Methodist University North Carolina 3 0
— United States Sports University Alabama 2 0
— University of Saint Mary Kansas 2 0
— SUNY Broome Community College New York 2 0
— Lake Erie College Ohio 2 0
— Lubbock Christian University Texas 2 0
— Huntington University Indiana 1 0
— Upper Iowa University Iowa 1 0
— Ottawa University-Surprise Arizona 1 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary 12,630 — $86,620

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2010–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.