by our College Data Analytics Team
[Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong athletic training education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 82 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for athletic training students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in athletic training, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in athletic training, no school beat Harper College this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $13,842 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $64,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College one of the best values for athletic training. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $12,924. Athletic Training graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $46,222 early in their careers. Set against $12,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned it the #3 place for athletic training. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,668 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $56,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lakeland Community College earned it the #4 place for athletic training. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $20,307 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $57,844 early in their careers. Set against $20,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $64,687. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $87,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $52,212 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #8 among the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $58,894 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #9 for value in athletic training this year. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. Set against $24,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #10 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $26,750. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $88,942. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #11 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $21,963 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $49,045. Set against $21,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #12 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,985 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $46,566 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #13 among the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $108,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Ball State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $67,833. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Central Michigan University placed #15 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $69,332. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Shawnee State University landed the #16 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $18,875. Athletic Training graduates of Shawnee State University earn a median of $42,878 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $24,179 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,834 early in their careers. Set against $24,179 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #18 spot for athletic training value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,398 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $26,657. Athletic Training graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Valley State University came in at #19 for value in athletic training this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $85,201. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph came in at #20 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $28,273 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $69,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #21 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $28,781 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $104,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northern Michigan University placed #22 among the best values for athletic training. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $50,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Marietta College placed #23 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the town of Marietta, Marietta College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,652. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Marietta College earn a median of $111,759 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marietta College admits about 79% of applicants.
Aurora University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #25 among the best values for athletic training. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $27,981. Athletic Training graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s athletic training value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.