2026 Best Athletic Training Programs
Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist
Choosing an athletic training program is no longer just a question of which school has strong sports teams. Aspiring athletic trainers now need to compare accreditation, clinical placements, graduate-level requirements, certification preparation, costs, and career outcomes before committing to a program. The decision matters because athletic training sits at the intersection of sports, healthcare, rehabilitation, injury prevention, and performance support.
Interest in the field remains strong. In fall 2025, 221,791 undergraduate students were enrolled in sports, kinesiology, physical education, and fitness programs (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2025). For students who want a healthcare career connected to athletics, movement, and patient care, athletic training can be a practical path—but only if the program fits certification rules, state requirements, and long-term career goals.
This guide explains what athletic training degrees cover, how much they cost, which programs are featured, what jobs graduates can pursue, and how to evaluate whether a program is worth the investment. It also outlines common mistakes to avoid, technology trends reshaping the profession, and questions to ask before enrolling.
Best Athletic Training Programs Table of Contents
- What does an athletic training degree teach?
- How much do athletic training degrees cost?
- 2026 Best Athletic Training Programs
- What jobs can athletic training graduates pursue?
- Which athletic training degree level should you choose?
- What are the usual athletic training degree requirements?
- How to compare athletic training programs
- Technology trends in athletic training
- How athletic training supports sports medicine research
- How athletic training connects with broader healthcare fields
- Why public health knowledge can strengthen athletic training practice
- How short certifications may support athletic training careers
- Accelerated education options for athletic training students
- Why interdisciplinary collaboration matters in athletic training
- How athletic training can build healthcare administration skills
- How pharmacy knowledge can complement athletic training
- How accreditation and certification affect athletic training outcomes
Quick Answer: What is the best athletic training program path?
The best athletic training program is typically a CAATE-accredited master’s program that prepares students for athletic trainer certification, includes substantial supervised clinical experience, and matches the student’s state licensure goals. A bachelor’s degree in athletic training is less common as an entry route because the AT Strategic Alliance stated in 2015 that the minimum entry-level requirement for athletic trainers should move to the master’s level.
Students should not choose a program based only on name recognition or sports reputation. The most important factors are accreditation, clinical placement quality, certification exam preparation, total cost, faculty support, and whether the program fits the student’s timeline and prior coursework.
What is an athletic training degree?
An athletic training degree prepares students to help physically active people prevent, assess, manage, and recover from injuries and medical conditions. The profession is healthcare-based, not simply sports coaching. According to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) (n.d.), athletic trainers work alongside physicians to prevent, diagnose, and treat acute injuries, chronic injuries, and other medical concerns.
Students learn how the body moves, how injuries happen, how to respond to urgent situations, and how to support rehabilitation. The field overlaps with sports medicine, kinesiology, exercise science, rehabilitation, health administration, and public health. Students comparing related healthcare routes may also explore online doctorate in physical therapy programs or online medical office administration programs, depending on whether they want a clinical, administrative, or rehabilitation-focused career.
Common athletic training coursework may include:
- Statistics
- Physiology
- Kinesiology
- General Biology
- Human Anatomy
- Evaluation in Healthcare
- Strength and Conditioning
- Musculoskeletal Evaluation
- Prevention of Injury and Illness
- Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries
What do athletic trainers actually do?
Athletic trainers provide hands-on healthcare for athletes and other active populations. Their work may include taping, emergency care, injury evaluation, rehabilitation planning, return-to-play support, documentation, and communication with physicians, coaches, parents, employers, or performance teams.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics records around 33,900 athletic trainers, and employment is expected to grow steadily by 2034. Athletic training can also serve as a foundation for additional healthcare study, including routes such as online RN to DNP programs for students who later decide to move toward advanced nursing practice.
What can you do with an athletic training degree?
The most direct career outcome is becoming a licensed athletic trainer in settings such as secondary schools, colleges, sports medicine clinics, hospitals, professional sports organizations, performing arts groups, occupational health programs, or public safety environments. Some graduates also use the degree as a stepping stone toward physician assistant programs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise physiology, coaching, or sports administration.
Students should understand the education expectations early. In a 2015 statement, the Athletic Training Strategic Alliance established that the minimum entry-level requirement for the profession should be at the master’s level. This means many students now complete an undergraduate degree in exercise science, kinesiology, biology, or a related field before entering a professional master’s program in athletic training.
Technology is also changing the field. Students interested in data systems, electronic health records, and digital health tools may compare athletic training with a health informatics master’s degree online. Those still deciding between movement-science paths can also review what you can do with an exercise science bachelor’s degree, since exercise science can lead to roles in fitness, wellness, coaching, and graduate healthcare preparation.
Cost of Athletic Training Degrees
The cost of an athletic training degree depends on degree level, residency status, school type, program format, fees, equipment, travel to clinical sites, housing, books, and financial aid. Students comparing healthcare-related online options, such as online public health degrees or bridge pathways like ADN to MSN programs, should use the same approach: compare total cost, not tuition alone.
How much does it cost to get an athletic training degree?
The average cost of undergraduate programs in in-state colleges for athletic training is $10,749, while out-of-state institutions charge around $29,004 (College Tuition Compare, 2025). Graduate degrees average around $11,290 to $21,075. Vocational programs cost around $16,150. Private universities may cost more than public options, and clinical travel can add expenses that are not always obvious on a tuition page.
| Degree Level | In-State | Out-of-State |
| Undergraduate Degree | $10,749 | $29,004 |
| Graduate Degree | $11,290 | $21,075 |
Cost factors students often overlook
| Cost Factor | Why It Matters | Question to Ask |
| Clinical placement travel | Students may need to commute to schools, clinics, hospitals, or sports facilities. | Are clinical sites near campus, or will I need a car and travel budget? |
| Program fees | Lab, technology, equipment, insurance, and professional fees can raise the real cost. | What mandatory fees are not included in tuition? |
| Time away from paid work | Clinical rotations may make full-time employment difficult. | Can the program schedule support part-time work? |
| Certification preparation | Exam preparation, applications, and credentialing costs may come after tuition. | Does the program include certification exam support? |
| Graduate education | Students may need both undergraduate preparation and a master’s degree. | Is there a direct-entry, accelerated, or combined pathway? |
Is an athletic training degree worth it?
An athletic training degree can be worth it for students who want a patient-care role connected to sports, movement, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. It can be especially valuable for students who prefer hands-on healthcare work over a traditional office-based role and who are willing to complete graduate-level preparation.
The trade-off is that the profession can be demanding. Athletic trainers may work evenings, weekends, travel schedules, and high-pressure events where quick decisions matter. Research has also linked the job to stress, anxiety, and burnout (Oglesby et al., 2020). Before enrolling, students should consider whether they are comfortable with physical demands, emotional pressure, documentation responsibilities, and ongoing professional development.
A good way to evaluate value is to compare the program’s total cost with expected career pathways, licensure requirements, and advancement options. Athletic training may be a strong fit if the student wants to work directly with active populations. It may be less ideal for someone who mainly wants a standard daytime schedule, minimal patient contact, or a business-only sports career.
2026 Best Programs in Athletic Training
The following featured programs were selected by reviewing available information on academic reputation, affordability, accreditation, program structure, and reliability. Students should treat any list as a starting point—not a final decision. Always confirm current accreditation status, tuition, admissions criteria, certification outcomes, and clinical placement details directly with the school.
1. Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University offers athletic training education that combines classroom instruction with applied learning. Students build knowledge through clinical rotations, laboratory experiences, rehabilitation exposure, and a research-focused capstone. This structure may suit learners who want a broad undergraduate foundation with practical training elements.
- Program Offered: BS in Athletic Training
- Program Length: 15 weeks
- Cost per Credit: $687.50
- Required Credits to Graduate: 120
- Accreditation: Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
2. University of Houston
The University of Houston provides a graduate athletic training pathway with exposure to sports medicine technology, research, applied clinical experiences, and healthcare partnerships. The program may appeal to students looking for a professional master’s route with networking opportunities across education and healthcare settings.
- Program Offered: Master of Athletic Training
- Program Length: Six semesters (three years)
- Estimated Cost per Semester: $320.00-$978.24 (per credit hour)
- Required Credits to Graduate: 57
- Accreditation: CAATE, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
3. University of Michigan
The University of Michigan offers an MS in Athletic Training with small class sizes, supervised training, mentorship, and opportunities for students to apply clinical concepts in collaborative learning environments. Students who want close faculty interaction and a structured graduate experience may find this model useful.
- Program Offered: MS in Athletic Training
- Program Length: Two years
- Estimated Total Cost: $52,098 (in-state), $78,328 (out-of-state)
- Required Credits to Graduate: 56
- Accreditation: CAATE, HLC
4. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida emphasizes evidence-based, patient-centered athletic training education. Students complete supervised fieldwork, laboratory learning, research activities, collaborative coursework, and interactive classroom experiences designed to build readiness for varied clinical settings.
- Program Offered: Master of Athletic Training
- Program Length: Two years
- Cost per Credit: $369.65 (in-state), $1,194.05 (out-of-state)
- Required Credits to Graduate: 65
- Accreditation: CAATE, SACSCOC
5. Ohio University
Ohio University offers a Doctor of Athletic Training with clinical and research track options. The program is designed for professionals seeking advanced practice, residency experience, research involvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration in sports medicine and patient care.
- Program Offered: Doctor of Athletic Training
- Program Length: Two years
- Cost per Credit: $528 (in-state), $547 (out-of-state)
- Required Credits to Graduate: 42
- Accreditation: CAATE, HLC
Athletic Training Degree Jobs
Athletic training graduates can work in several sports medicine and healthcare environments. The most direct path is athletic trainer licensure, but the degree can also support related careers when paired with additional education, certification, or state-specific credentials.
Is athletic training in high demand?
The athletic training profession has a job outlook that is much higher than average for other jobs. According to the BLS, athletic trainers are projected to see an 11% change in employment, with around 3,800 opportunities each year through 2034. Demand may be influenced by sports participation, injury prevention needs, healthcare expansion, and the use of athletic trainers beyond traditional team sports.
What jobs can you get with an athletic training degree?
| Career Option | Typical Focus | Important Note |
| Professional Athletic Trainer | Injury prevention, immediate care, rehabilitation support, and return-to-play coordination. | This is the most direct role for graduates who meet certification and licensure requirements. |
| Physician Assistant | Patient examinations, diagnosis, testing, treatment planning, medical histories, and medication management under physician or surgeon supervision. | This path requires additional physician assistant education and credentials. |
| Sports Coach | Training plans, skill development, game strategy, motivation, and athlete feedback. | Students interested in the mental side of performance may also review sports psychology careers. |
| Physical Therapist | Mobility improvement, pain reduction, functional recovery, therapeutic exercise, and injury prevention education. | This career requires a separate physical therapy degree and licensure. |
| Performing Arts Athletic Trainer | Injury care and prevention for dancers, musicians, acrobats, and other performers. | This niche may suit students interested in movement demands outside traditional sports. |
What kind of salary can I earn with an athletic training degree?
Graduates of athletic training programs earn $60,250 per year on average, with a pay range between $45,380 and $84,100 (BLS, 2025). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, employer, schedule, credentials, and work setting.
Additional education or specialization can affect advancement. For example, an athletic director can earn as much as $90,058 yearly. Students who want broader leadership or population-health preparation may consider selected coursework or advanced study through an online master’s degree in public health, especially if they are interested in prevention programs, community wellness, or health policy.
Types of Degrees in Athletic Training
The right degree depends on where the student is starting and what credential they need next. Because professional entry expectations have shifted toward graduate education, many students now complete a related bachelor’s degree before entering a professional master’s program.
Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training
Average Time to Complete: Four years
A bachelor’s program introduces students to movement science, injury prevention, therapeutic modalities, general medicine, and rehabilitation concepts. However, because of the AT Strategic Alliance’s position on professional degree requirements, many universities are no longer accepting baccalaureate degree program enrollees (CAATE, n.d.). Students planning for athletic trainer certification should verify whether a bachelor’s program still leads to the professional pathway they need.
Entry-level Jobs: Associate Athletic Trainer, Assistant Sports Coach, Health Clinic Staff
Master’s Degree in Athletic Training
Average Time to Complete: Two to three years
A master’s degree is now the central professional route for many aspiring athletic trainers. These programs usually include advanced coursework, clinical immersion, acute care, therapeutic intervention, injury assessment, and evidence-based practice. Students who prefer the business side of athletics may compare this route with a master’s in sports management online.
Entry-level Jobs: Professional Athletic Trainer, Public Safety Athletic Trainer, Occupational Therapist
Doctoral Degree in Athletic Training
Average Time to Complete: Two to four years
Doctoral programs are usually designed for professionals who want advanced clinical practice, research, leadership, teaching, or specialization. Students may study advanced injury risk assessment, psychosocial factors, neuromechanics, applied research, and specialized patient care. Many programs include research projects, clinical residencies, or advanced practice experiences.
Entry-level Jobs: University Professor, Sports Clinic Director, Sports Coach or Manager
| Degree Level | Best For | When to Be Careful |
| Bachelor’s | Students building a foundation in movement science, kinesiology, or healthcare preparation. | Do not assume it qualifies you for athletic trainer certification without confirming current CAATE and state rules. |
| Master’s | Students seeking the main professional pathway into athletic training practice. | Compare clinical requirements and total cost before enrolling. |
| Doctoral | Certified or experienced professionals pursuing leadership, teaching, research, or advanced clinical roles. | It may not be necessary for entry-level practice. |
Athletic Training Degree Requirements
Admissions and graduation requirements differ by institution, degree level, and state. Students should confirm prerequisites early, especially if they are entering from a related field such as kinesiology, exercise science, biology, public health, or health science. Students with prior coursework from an online associate degree in health science should ask how many credits may transfer.
Common admission requirements
- Official transcript. Applicants usually submit records from prior accredited coursework or degrees.
- GPA scores. Many universities expect a GPA of at least 3.0, particularly for master’s-level applicants.
- Certification or work experience. Some programs request proof of certification, observation hours, or supervised experience with a licensed athletic trainer.
- ATCAS application. The Athletic Training Centralized Application System lets students submit materials to multiple participating programs through one platform; some institutions require this process.
- Additional materials. Programs may request prerequisite courses, recommendation letters, personal statements, interviews, or language proficiency scores for international applicants.
Skills athletic training students need
- Observation. Athletic trainers must notice movement patterns, symptoms, behavior changes, and rehabilitation progress.
- Critical thinking. They often make quick decisions using incomplete information, especially during practices, games, or emergency situations.
- Compassion. Injured patients may feel fear, frustration, or pressure to return too soon, so emotional support matters.
- Organization. Treatment plans, records, schedules, referrals, and communication with healthcare teams require careful tracking.
- Communication. Athletic trainers must explain medical information clearly to patients, coaches, families, physicians, and administrators.
Common mistakes to avoid before enrolling
| Mistake | Why It Can Hurt You | Better Approach |
| Choosing a school without checking accreditation | A nonaligned program may not support the certification or licensure path you need. | Confirm CAATE status directly before applying. |
| Looking only at tuition | Fees, clinical travel, equipment, and lost work hours can change affordability. | Build a full cost estimate for the entire program. |
| Assuming all online or accelerated options qualify for licensure | Clinical and state requirements may not transfer across locations. | Ask whether the program meets requirements in your intended state. |
| Ignoring clinical placement quality | Weak placements can limit practical readiness and networking. | Ask where students train and how placements are assigned. |
| Relying only on rankings | A highly ranked school may still be too expensive or poorly matched to your goals. | Compare outcomes, support, cost, location, and certification preparation. |
Technological Advancements in Athletic Training
Technology is changing how athletic trainers monitor risk, document care, communicate with teams, and guide rehabilitation. Wearable devices such as motion sensors and heart rate monitors can help track workload, biomechanics, and physiological data in real time. Used carefully, this information may support individualized training plans and help identify patterns related to overuse.
Virtual reality and augmented reality are also being explored in rehabilitation. These tools can simulate controlled environments where injured athletes practice movements, decision-making, or sport-specific skills before returning to full participation.
Electronic health records have become increasingly important because athletic trainers often coordinate care with physicians, physical therapists, coaches, families, and administrators. Strong documentation supports continuity of care, risk management, and communication across multiple stakeholders.
Students should look for programs that teach technology as part of patient care rather than treating it as an optional add-on. Those who want a faster undergraduate path before graduate study may compare options such as the fastest bachelor’s degree programs, but they should still confirm whether the coursework supports athletic training prerequisites.
What to Look for in Athletic Training Programs
According to a BOC for the Athletic Trainer report, the top three settings where athletic trainers work are secondary schools (24.56%), clinics and hospitals (17.80%), and postsecondary education institutions (16.15%). Your program choice should match the setting you want after graduation.
- Accreditation. Athletic training programs are reviewed by CAATE, which evaluates whether programs meet professional education standards.
- Accelerated and dual-degree options. Some schools allow students to combine undergraduate and graduate study or connect athletic training with fields such as physical therapy, exercise science, or healthcare leadership.
- Student-to-faculty ratio. Many strong programs use smaller cohorts, often around 1:10 to 1:18, to support hands-on instruction and direct feedback.
- Clinical fieldwork. Practicum, internship, and supervised clinical experiences are essential because athletic training is a practice-based field.
- Scholarship options. Students should review institutional aid and outside awards. The NATA Research & Education Foundation and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) endow annual scholarships to athletic training degree students.
Questions to ask before choosing a program
| Decision Area | Question to Ask | Why It Matters |
| Accreditation | Is the program currently CAATE-accredited? | Accreditation is central to professional preparation and certification planning. |
| Clinical education | Where do students complete clinical rotations? | Placement quality affects hands-on readiness and professional networking. |
| Certification support | How does the program prepare students for certification? | Strong exam preparation can improve confidence and planning. |
| Cost | What is the total estimated cost including fees and clinical travel? | The sticker tuition may not reflect the real expense. |
| Schedule | Can students work while completing clinical requirements? | Some programs require daytime or intensive clinical commitments. |
| Career fit | Which settings do graduates typically enter? | School, hospital, clinic, performing arts, and professional sports roles can differ significantly. |
How Can Athletic Training Degrees Drive Research and Innovation in Sports Medicine?
Athletic training programs can prepare students to contribute to sports medicine research through coursework in evidence-based practice, injury prevention, rehabilitation, biomechanics, and outcomes assessment. Graduates who understand research methods can help test treatment protocols, evaluate emerging technologies, and improve return-to-activity decisions.
Students who want to strengthen research credentials while continuing to work may explore flexible graduate study, including options such as an online master’s degree option. The key is to choose a program that adds relevant research, clinical, or leadership skills rather than simply adding another credential.
How can athletic training degrees integrate with broader health fields?
Athletic training is closely connected to healthcare, wellness, rehabilitation, data systems, and population health. Students who understand these links may have more flexibility as the field expands beyond traditional athletic sidelines.
- Interdisciplinary learning. Athletic training often overlaps with physical therapy, sports medicine, kinesiology, orthopedics, and exercise science.
- Health informatics. As sports healthcare uses more digital records and performance data, students may benefit from learning how healthcare information systems work. A health informatics degree online can be useful for those interested in data-driven care.
- Career flexibility. Athletic trainers with broader healthcare knowledge may pursue roles in clinics, hospitals, education, research, wellness, occupational health, or administration.
- Emerging specialties. Biomechanics, health analytics, wellness coaching, and technology-enabled rehabilitation may create new ways for athletic trainers to specialize.
Should Athletic Training Education Integrate Public Health Perspectives?
Public health knowledge can help athletic trainers think beyond individual injury care. Concepts such as epidemiology, prevention, health promotion, risk management, and community outreach can strengthen how professionals design injury prevention strategies and wellness programs.
This perspective is especially useful for athletic trainers working in schools, community programs, occupational health, or organizations with large active populations. Students seeking a compact public health credential may compare options such as one year MPH programs online, especially if they want to connect athletic training with prevention, policy, or population wellness.
Can Complementary Accelerated Certifications Enhance Athletic Training Careers?
Short certifications can support an athletic training career when they add a clearly relevant skill. Examples may include administrative support, patient intake, basic clinical operations, or healthcare workflow knowledge. However, a short certificate is not a substitute for an accredited athletic training pathway when certification or licensure is required.
Students considering healthcare support roles may review an accelerated medical assistant program to understand how short-format training works. The best use of these credentials is targeted skill building, not replacing required athletic training education.
Exploring Accelerated Learning Pathways in Athletic Training
Accelerated pathways can help students move faster through prerequisite or undergraduate coursework, especially adult learners balancing school, work, and family responsibilities. However, speed should not come at the expense of accreditation, clinical readiness, or graduate school eligibility.
Students who need a faster bachelor’s route before applying to a professional athletic training program may compare accelerated bachelor’s degree programs for adults. Before enrolling, they should confirm that the program includes the science prerequisites required by their target master’s programs.
The safest strategy is to map the full route in advance: prerequisite courses, bachelor’s completion, master’s admission, clinical training, certification, and state licensure. An accelerated program is helpful only if it moves the student toward each of those checkpoints.
What Role Does Interdisciplinary Collaboration Play in Shaping the Future of Athletic Training?
Athletic trainers rarely work alone. They coordinate with physicians, physical therapists, strength coaches, nurses, administrators, mental health professionals, and sometimes pharmacists. This collaboration helps create safer treatment plans and better communication across the care team.
Medication knowledge can also matter because some treatments may affect performance, recovery, safety, or return-to-play decisions. Students interested in the pharmaceutical side of sports medicine may review an online pharmacy doctorate pathway, although pharmacy is a separate professional route with its own requirements.
Can Online Advanced Degrees Propel Your Athletic Training Career?
Online advanced degrees may help athletic trainers build expertise in leadership, research, technology, education, public health, or administration while continuing to work. They are most useful when they align with a specific goal: promotion, teaching, clinical specialization, management, or a transition into a broader healthcare role.
Professionals comparing flexible graduate options may review an online master’s degree pathway, but they should focus on curriculum relevance, accreditation, faculty expertise, and employer recognition rather than ease alone.
How Can Athletic Training Programs Foster Healthcare Administration Expertise?
Athletic trainers who move into clinics, schools, hospitals, or sports medicine departments often need administrative skills in scheduling, compliance, documentation, budgeting, billing, and program management. Programs that include healthcare administration concepts can help students understand how clinical care connects with operations.
Students interested in the financial and administrative side of healthcare may review medical billing and coding school costs to better understand how documentation and reimbursement affect clinical environments.
Can Dual Degrees in Athletic Training and Pharmacy Accelerate Your Healthcare Career?
Combining athletic training knowledge with pharmacy education may appeal to students interested in medication management, sports medicine, clinical decision-making, and interdisciplinary patient care. However, these are distinct fields, and a dual or sequential path requires careful planning because each profession has separate academic and credentialing expectations.
Students who want to understand accelerated pharmacy education can compare options such as the quickest PharmD degree. The best candidates for this type of pathway are those with a clear reason to combine injury care, rehabilitation knowledge, and pharmaceutical expertise.
How Do Accreditation and Certification Impact Athletic Training Career Outcomes?
Accreditation and certification are central to athletic training career planning. Accreditation signals that a program has been evaluated against professional standards, while certification and state licensure determine whether a graduate can legally practice in many settings.
Students should verify accreditation before applying, confirm certification exam preparation, and check state licensure requirements where they plan to work. Additional healthcare education, such as online doctorate in pharmacy programs, may complement athletic training for certain career goals, but it does not replace athletic training credentialing requirements.
How to Decide Whether Athletic Training Is the Right Path
Athletic training is a strong fit for students who want hands-on patient care, enjoy sports or movement environments, can handle pressure, and are willing to complete graduate education and continuing professional development. It is less suitable for students who want a predictable office schedule, limited physical activity, or a sports career focused only on management or marketing.
Before choosing a program, students should list their target work setting, preferred degree timeline, budget, state licensure plans, and backup career options. They should then compare programs based on accreditation, clinical placements, cost, faculty support, and certification preparation—not just school brand or athletic reputation.
Sources Used
- AACSB Career Connection. (2026). Athletic Director Salary (February 2026). https://careerconnection.aacsb.edu/salary/athletic-director
- American Sports and Fitness Association. (2025). The Best Personal Trainer Employment Outlook. https://www.americansportandfitness.com/blogs/fitness-blog/the-best-personal-trainer-employment-outlook
- Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. (2024, April). BOC certified AT demographics. https://7f6907b2.flowpaper.com/202223BOCCertifiedATDemographics/#page=1
- College Tuition Compare. (2025). Athletic Training/Trainer Program 2025 Tuition. https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/majors/51.0913/athletic-training-trainer
- Healthy Roster. (2025, May 2). 2024 Athletic Training Job Market Report Reveals Salary Trends. https://blog.healthyroster.com/blog/2024-athletic-training-job-market-report-reveals-salary-trends-and-key-insights
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association. (n.d.). What is athletic training? Retrieved February 2026, from https://www.nata.org/about/athletic-training
- National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. (2026). Final Fall Enrollment Trends. https://nscresearchcenter.org/final-fall-enrollment-trends
- Straits Research. (2025). Sports Sponsorship Market Share, Trends & Forecast 2033. https://straitsresearch.com/report/sports-sponsorship-market
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Athletic Trainers. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers.htm
Key Insights
- The best athletic training programs are accredited and clinically strong. CAATE accreditation, supervised field experience, and certification preparation should carry more weight than sports prestige alone.
- A master’s degree is now central to professional entry planning. The AT Strategic Alliance’s 2015 statement shifted the profession toward master’s-level preparation for entry-level athletic trainers.
- Costs vary widely by residency and degree level. Undergraduate athletic training costs average $10,749 in-state and $29,004 out-of-state, while graduate degrees average around $11,290 to $21,075.
- The career outlook is favorable, but the work can be demanding. The BLS projects an 11% change in employment and around 3,800 opportunities each year through 2034, but students should be realistic about schedules, pressure, and burnout risk.
- Salary depends heavily on setting and credentials. Athletic trainers earn $60,250 per year on average, with a range from $45,380 to $84,100; advanced roles and related credentials may affect earnings.
- Technology skills are becoming more important. Wearables, electronic health records, rehabilitation tools, and data-informed care are increasingly relevant in athletic training practice.
- Do not enroll without checking the full pathway. Confirm accreditation, prerequisites, clinical placements, certification exam preparation, state licensure requirements, and total cost before choosing a program.
Other Things You Should Know About Athletic Training Programs
The best athletic training programs for 2026 include renowned institutions like the University of Southern California, University of Florida, and Texas A&M University. These programs are recognized for their rigorous curriculum, experienced faculty, and comprehensive hands-on training opportunities.
Graduates can pursue careers as professional athletic trainers, physical therapists, sports coaches, physician assistants, or performing arts athletic trainers. They can work in various settings, including schools, clinics, hospitals, professional sports teams, and performing arts centers.
The cost varies based on the type of institution and location. In-state tuition for a bachelor's degree ranges from $6,000 to $16,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition can be between $14,000 and $40,000. Private universities may charge $17,800 to $50,000 per year. Graduate programs have similar variations in cost.
Yes, it is worth it for those passionate about sports and healthcare. Athletic trainers play a vital role in athlete care, enjoy diverse job opportunities, and have a growing job market. However, the profession requires dedication, hard work, and continuous professional development.
Admission requirements typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum GPA (usually around 3.0), and completion of prerequisite coursework in subjects like biology and chemistry. Some programs may also require letters of recommendation, personal statements, and proof of relevant experience.
The average salary for athletic trainers is $60,250 per year. Salaries can vary based on experience, location, and the specific job setting, with higher earnings possible in specialized roles or with advanced degrees.
Degrees in athletic training include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. Bachelor’s degrees provide foundational knowledge, while master’s and doctoral programs offer advanced training and specialization. The AT Strategic Alliance recommends a master’s degree as the minimum entry-level requirement.
Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Consider factors such as student-to-faculty ratio, availability of clinical field placements, opportunities for dual degrees, and financial aid options.
