Finding the Best Athletic Training Colleges: A Comprehensive Guide
Athletic training is a popular field of study, with numerous colleges and universities offering degree programs. This abundance of options can make choosing the right school a challenging task. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to help prospective students navigate the landscape of athletic training programs and make informed decisions about their education.
The Growing Popularity of Athletic Training Programs
Athletic Training is an increasingly popular degree program, ranked #187 in the country. Consequently, numerous colleges offer this degree, making the selection process difficult. College Factual assessed 125 colleges and universities to compile its 2025 Best Athletic Training Schools ranking.
Rankings and Methodologies
The athletic trainer program you select can significantly impact your future. College Factual offers rankings of Best Schools for Athletic Training. These rankings can be found on College Factual's Methodology.
Top Athletic Training Programs in the United States
While it's recommended to filter by degree level, a general overview of top schools offering athletic training programs can be helpful. Here are some universities known for their athletic training programs:
Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA): Located in a large city, Thomas Jefferson University is a private, not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.
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Ohio State University - Main Campus (Columbus, OH): A fairly large public university situated in a large city.
Quinnipiac University (Hamden, CT): Located in a suburb, Quinnipiac is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. Quinnipiac is a great university overall with a Best Colleges rank of #162 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide. In the most recent data year, approximately 25 athletic training students graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac.
Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY): SUNY Stony Brook is a public university with a fairly large student population, located in a suburb. SUNY Stony Brook is a great university overall with a Best Colleges rank of #153 out of 2,152 schools nationwide. There were roughly 13 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at SUNY Stony Brook in the most recent year we have data available.
Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA): Located in a large city, Duquesne is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.
University of Nevada - Las Vegas (Las Vegas, NV): UNLV is a fairly large public university located in a midsize city. This university ranks 1st out of 8 colleges for overall quality in the state of Nevada. In the most recent data year, approximately 14 athletic training students graduated with this degree at UNLV.
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University of Wisconsin - Madison (Madison, WI): UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population, located in a large city.
Springfield College (Springfield, MA): Springfield College is a small private not-for-profit college located in the medium-sized city of Springfield. This college ranks 20th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts. In the most recent data year, approximately 18 athletic training students graduated with this degree at Springfield College.
Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ): NAU is a public university with a fairly large student population, located in the city of Flagstaff. This university ranks 7th out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona. In the most recent data year, approximately 32 athletic training students graduated with this degree at NAU.
A Closer Look at Two Highly-Ranked Universities
To provide a more in-depth understanding of what makes a strong athletic training program, let's examine two universities that consistently rank high in national surveys: the University of Miami and Indiana University - Bloomington.
University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL)
The University of Miami, a private university in Coral Gables, Florida, is ranked 79th in America and has a 32% acceptance rate, making it a selective institution. With a medium-sized student body of 9,705 full-time undergraduates, the university offers 99 majors across eight academic disciplines. While Finance, Nursing, and Economics are popular choices, the university also boasts impressive sports management and physical therapy programs, both ranking 5th in the nation.
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Key Features:
- Academics: Offers a wide range of majors, with strong programs in health-related fields. The most popular majors students pursue are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Finance, General, Psychology, and General.
- Rankings: Ranked 79th nationally and holds top rankings in Florida for early action, early decision, and acceptance of the common app.
- Cost and Aid: Tuition is approximately $52,737 for Florida residents and $47,714 for out-of-state students. However, around 70% of students receive financial aid.
- Outcomes: 81% of undergraduates graduate, and alumni earn a median salary of $47,500 two years after graduation, increasing to $60,100 after six years.
- Student Life: 90% of first-year students live on campus.
- Admissions: The three most popular college majors students pursue are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Finance, General, Psychology, and General.
- SAT Score: 1250-1430
- ACT Score: 29-32
Indiana University - Bloomington (Bloomington, IN)
Indiana University - Bloomington, a public university, ranks 111th in the US and has a moderately competitive admissions process. The university offers 80 majors across eight academic disciplines, with Business, Public Administration, and Computer and Information Sciences being the most popular. It has an excellent arts management program (ranked 7th nationally) and top-ranked public health, sports management, and music programs in Indiana.
Key Features:
- Academics: Provides a wide array of majors, with a strong emphasis on business, public administration, and computer science.
- Rankings: Ranked 111th nationally and 1st in Indiana for test-optional colleges.
- Cost and Aid: In-state tuition is $11,495 per year, while out-of-state tuition is $34,686. Over 75% of students receive scholarship or grant funding.
- Outcomes: 79% of students graduate, and alumni earn a median salary of $39,900 two years after graduation, increasing to $47,700 after six years.
- Admissions: It is recommended that you share your high school GPA when submitting your application and it accepts the Common App.
- Student Life: 20% of female undergraduates are members of sororities.
- Finances: 17% of students procure Pell grants to subsidize their education and the average amount of Pell grant aid awarded is $4,671.
- ACT Score: 29-32
Additional Considerations When Choosing a Program
Beyond rankings and general university information, several other factors should influence your choice of an athletic training program:
- Accreditation: Ensure the program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Graduation from a CAATE-accredited program is essential for eligibility to sit for the Board of Certification examination and become a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC).
- Curriculum: Look for a program that offers a comprehensive curriculum including both didactic (classroom-based) and clinical education components. The clinical component should provide hands-on experience with patients under the supervision of qualified preceptors.
- Faculty: Research the faculty's credentials and experience. Ideally, faculty members should be actively involved in the athletic training profession and sports medicine field at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
- Clinical Opportunities: Investigate the types of clinical placements available. A good program will offer diverse experiences in various settings, such as high schools, colleges, professional sports teams, and clinics.
- Program Size: Consider the program's student-to-faculty ratio. Smaller programs often provide a more personalized learning environment.
- Outcomes: Inquire about the program's Board of Certification (BOC) examination pass rate. A high pass rate indicates the program's effectiveness in preparing students for certification.
The Evolving Landscape of Athletic Training Education
It's important to note that the field of athletic training is evolving. After the fall 2022 term, baccalaureate degree programs are no longer enrolling students. Students interested in becoming Athletic Trainers will need to enter into a graduate program. This shift reflects the increasing complexity of the profession and the need for advanced knowledge and skills.
Types of Programs:
- Professional Programs: These programs lead to eligibility to sit for the Board of Certification examination and enter the profession of athletic training.
- Post-Professional Degree Programs: These programs (masters or doctorate) are designed for already credentialed athletic trainers to expand their knowledge and skills through didactic, clinical, and research experiences.
- Residency Programs: These are formal educational programs that offer structured curricula and mentorship, including didactic and clinical components, to educate athletic trainers in a specialty area.
- Fellowship Programs: These are formal education and training programs that offer structured mentorship, including didactic and clinical components, to educate athletic trainers in a sub-specialty area.
Accreditation Status
The CAATE accreditation status is not time limited but remains in place until a subsequent accreditation action is taken to alter a programâs current accreditation status.
- Initial Accreditation: Is awarded to programs after the CAATE takes action to approve the initial application. Learners who graduate from a Professional Program Seeking Initial Accreditation WILL NOT be eligible to sit for the credentialing examination for athletic trainers.
- Initial Accreditation Granted: Is awarded to a program after the CAATE takes action to grant initial accreditation. This status is only awarded the first time a program receives accreditation through the CAATE.
- Continuing Accreditation Granted: Is awarded to a program after the CAATE takes action to grant continuing accreditation and refers to accreditation status awarded to programs currently accredited by the CAATE. The maximum length of continuing accreditation for professional programs is ten (10) years.
When a program is selected, the user can click on the "more" link to get more information about the program. Included in the pop-up table is Accreditation History.
- Continuing Accreditation Granted- Progress Report Due: The program is substantially compliant with the CAATE Standards, but is non-compliant with at least one Standard. The reason for non-compliance will be stated with a date for the progress report indicated.
- Defer action: Is used when there is insufficient information on which to judge compliance and an action is deferred until a time specified by the Commission.
- Probation: The program is currently on probation.
- Voluntary Withdrawal of Accreditation: The program has submitted their intent to voluntarily withdraw the accreditation of their AT program and are in the process of teaching out current students. Programs going through voluntary withdrawal are not allowed to accept new programs. The effective date of withdrawal is when the last students have graduated from the program.
Factors Affecting College Choice
Several factors can influence your college choice, including:
- Annual Cost: Consider the overall cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses. Explore options for financial aid, scholarships, and grants.
- Very Affordable (Below $5,000)
- Affordable ($5,000 - 10,000)
- Moderate ($10,000 - 25,000)
- Expensive ($25,000 - 50,000)
- Very Expensive (Over $50,000)
- Acceptance Rate: Understand the selectivity of the institution. Highly selective schools may have lower acceptance rates.
- Below 5%
- 5 - 10%
- 10 - 30%
- 30 - 50%
- Above 50%
- Standardized Test Scores: Consider the average ACT and SAT scores of admitted students.
- ACT:
- Below 16
- 16 - 20
- 21 - 25
- 26 - 30
- Above 30
- SAT:
- Below 900
- 900 - 1,050
- 1,060 - 1,200
- 1,210 - 1,400
- Above 1,400
- ACT:
Career Prospects and Earning Potential
A degree in athletic training can lead to a variety of career paths, including:
- Personal Trainer
- Gym General Manager
- NBA Athletic Trainer
The average graduate with a degree in athletic training makes a yearly income of $49,256, which is 22.8% higher than the United States median.
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