2027 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong athletic training education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for athletic training students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in athletic training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Athletic Training Schools
For return on investment in athletic training, no school beat Cincinnati State Technical And Community College this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $16,668. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Harper College one of the best values for athletic training. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $13,842 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $64,778. Set against $13,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $12,924 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $46,222 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,924 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in athletic training will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $19,137. Athletic Training graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $20,985. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $46,566. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lakeland Community College landed the #6 spot for athletic training value this year. 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. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $51,941. Set against $20,307 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indiana State University placed #7 among the best values for athletic training. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $64,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $58,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Youngstown State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. 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. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Northern Michigan University came in at #10 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $18,500. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $50,855. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $21,963 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $49,045 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Ball State University ranked #12 on our 2027 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, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $67,833. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Shawnee State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the town of Portsmouth, Shawnee State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,448, with out-of-state students paying around $16,032. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $18,875. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Shawnee State University generally make around $42,878. Set against $18,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #14 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse came in at #15 for value in athletic training 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. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $88,942 early in their careers. Set against $26,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,890. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $27,000. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $75,717. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #17 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Western Michigan University placed #18 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Grand Valley State University placed #19 among the best values for athletic training. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $85,201. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #20 for value in athletic training this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $24,179 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $60,834. That is a strong return on a $24,179 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Eastern Michigan University placed #21 among the best values for athletic training. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $104,313 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #22 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $108,627. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Lewis University placed #23 among the best values for athletic training. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. Students from in state pay about $39,200 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $24,838. Athletic Training graduates of Lewis University earn a median of $55,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,838 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Mount St Joseph came in at #24 for value in athletic training this year. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, College Of Mount St Joseph is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,150. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $28,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from College Of Mount St Joseph generally make around $69,964. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.
Central Michigan University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. 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%.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Athletic Training Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s athletic training value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
