by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 302 U.S. colleges awarded 3,337 degrees and certificates in Athletic Training. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 124 schools in its 2027 Best Athletic Training Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing, rising to $77,808 after four years.
A major in Athletic Training explores Athletic Training/trainer. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Work In Consultation With, And Under The Supervision Of Physicians To Prevent And Treat Sports Injuries And Associated Conditions. Includes Instruction In The Identification, Evaluation, And Treatment Of Athletic Injuries And Illnesses; First Aid And Emergency Care; Therapeutic Exercise; Anatomy And Physiology; Exercise Physiology; Kinesiology And Biomechanics; Nutrition; Sports Psychology; Personal And Community Health; Knowledge Of Various Sports And Their Biomechanical And Physiological Demands; And Applicable Professional Standards And Regulations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., athletic training is a popular field of study, with 3,337 degrees awarded annually. 302 colleges award athletic training degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 106.
By level, the 3,337 awards include 9 certificates, 128 associate degrees, 624 bachelor’s degrees, 2,498 master’s degrees and 69 doctorates.
Women earned 64% of athletic training degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,153 of 3,337). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (2,110) and Hispanic or Latino (543), and international students earned 67.
College Factual ranks 124 schools in its 2027 Best Athletic Training Schools ranking, including 10 for associate degrees, 39 for bachelor’s degrees, 99 for master’s degrees and 6 for doctorates. It also ranks athletic training schools within 41 states. In all, 302 colleges offer athletic training programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Athletic Training Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common athletic training credential is the master’s degree: 2,498 of the 3,337 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to athletic training call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Instructing, and for knowledge of Education and Training, English Language and Medicine and Dentistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Speech Clarity.
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How long an athletic training degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 9 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 128 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 624 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,498 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 69 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to athletic training, at 39.8%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 39.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 19.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 17.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Athletic Training, with an average median salary of $63,248; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Mental Health Aides Teacher, Inhalation Therapy Aides Teacher, Clinical Instructor and Public Health Professor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to athletic training, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Athletic Trainers | 316,011 | -0.3% |
Athletic Training graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing their program, $77,808 after four years and $70,516 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,190 |
| 4 years | $77,808 |
| 5 years | $70,516 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to athletic training is Athletic Trainers, with a median salary of $79,834.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainers | $79,834 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Athletic Training has 21 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 95,137 degrees a year; the largest are Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) (32,528), Physician Associate/Assistant (13,743) and Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (13,037). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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