2026 Best Athletic Training Schools in California
Athletic Training degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 32 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for athletic training students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Athletic Training in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall athletic training education in California.
Top Schools in Athletic Training
California State University Northridge tops our 2026 ranking of the best athletic training schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. California State University Northridge graduates 57% of students within six years. California State University Northridge awarded about 10 athletic training degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $100,724. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in athletic training from California State University Northridge
California State University Long Beach is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in athletic training, ranking #2. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 12 athletic training degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Athletic Training graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,375.
See the full athletic training program report for California State University Long Beach
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fullerton one of the top schools for athletic training. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,471. Typical student debt for the program is $15,525.
Read more about the athletic training program at California State University Fullerton
Point Loma Nazarene University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at Point Loma Nazarene University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $29,523. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $26,362 in student loans.
Get the full athletic training details for Point Loma Nazarene University
California Baptist University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best athletic training schools. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Baptist University awarded about 12 athletic training degrees in the most recent data year. Athletic Training graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $95,454 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,169.
Get the full athletic training details for California Baptist University
More Athletic Training Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 32 schools evaluated.
- 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.
