2027 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the Southwest Region
[Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for athletic training students.
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2027 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the athletic training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Athletic Training Schools
Leading the list is Central Arizona College, our #1 best value for athletic training in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,084 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $48,826. Set against $11,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $55,965. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Tyler Junior College one of the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $16,844 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $56,686 early in their careers. Set against $16,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Arizona College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $6,781. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $40,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in athletic training will find it at Midwestern State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $67,953 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northland Pioneer College came in at #6 for value in athletic training this year. Northland Pioneer College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holbrook. In-state tuition and fees average $2,232, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,680 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $44,117 early in their careers. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University earned the #7 position for value in athletic training this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $105,814 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Fe Community College landed the #8 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $9,813 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $51,935. That is a strong return on a $9,813 median debt.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University came in at #9 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Southwestern Oklahoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,469, with out-of-state students paying around $8,499. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $20,795 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Southwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $57,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston earned the #10 position for value in athletic training this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $58,469 early in their careers. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #11 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $62,783. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #12 among the best values for athletic training. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $57,819. Set against $25,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Hardin Simmons University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Abilene, Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,960. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $26,674. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Hardin Simmons University generally make around $113,805. Set against $26,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hardin Simmons University admits about 90% of applicants.
Tarleton State University landed the #14 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,302 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $56,785. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #15 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $41,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University came in at #16 for value in athletic training this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $38,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas Christian University landed the #17 spot for athletic training value this year. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $22,960. Athletic Training graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $60,035 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University came in at #18 for value in athletic training this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $58,100. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $23,928. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $49,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 51%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
