2027 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for athletic training students.
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2027 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in athletic training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Athletic Training Schools
Western Nebraska Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools in the The Plains States Region. Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Barton County Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Barton County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Great Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,680, while out-of-state students pay about $4,960. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $14,792. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $44,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College one of the best values for athletic training. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,326. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $57,464. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #4 place for athletic training. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $24,262 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $116,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in athletic training will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $25,288 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $49,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #6 among the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $42,209. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Lake Superior College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $53,192. Set against $19,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,039 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $55,321. That is a strong return on a $28,039 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $23,250. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $46,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Butler Community College landed the #10 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the town of El Dorado, Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,541, with out-of-state students paying around $6,271. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $16,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Winona State University earned the #11 position for value in athletic training this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $24,551 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $53,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $99,606 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $22,356. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Mary generally make around $55,153. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Mary admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Kansas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $25,847. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $43,930. Set against $25,847 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia University Saint Paul placed #15 among the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Concordia University Saint Paul is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,600 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $29,026. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Concordia University Saint Paul generally make around $54,835. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Concordia University Saint Paul admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $120,179. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
Wellspring School Of Allied Health Kansas City earned the #17 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Wellspring School Of Allied Health Kansas City is a small private for-profit institution. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $13,421 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Wellspring School Of Allied Health Kansas City generally make around $33,120. Set against $13,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa State University came in at #18 for value in athletic training this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #19 for value in athletic training this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $25,260. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $53,088. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kansas State University placed #20 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
South Dakota State University placed #21 among the best values for athletic training. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Southwest Baptist University placed #22 among the best values for athletic training. Located in the town of Bolivar, Southwest Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,566 in tuition and fees. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $49,135. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Culver Stockton College placed #23 among the best values for athletic training. Culver Stockton College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Canton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,875. Students borrow a median of $27,252 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Culver Stockton College generally make around $38,725. That is a strong return on a $27,252 median debt. Culver Stockton College admits about 99% of applicants.
Sterling College Kansas placed #24 among the best values for athletic training. Sterling College Kansas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Sterling. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,700. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Sterling College Kansas generally make around $30,086. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus landed the #25 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,760. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $83,825. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
