by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Athletic Training explores Athletic Training/trainer. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Work In Consultation With, And Under The Supervision Of Physicians To Prevent And Treat Sports Injuries And Associated Conditions. Includes Instruction In The Identification, Evaluation, And Treatment Of Athletic Injuries And Illnesses; First Aid And Emergency Care; Therapeutic Exercise; Anatomy And Physiology; Exercise Physiology; Kinesiology And Biomechanics; Nutrition; Sports Psychology; Personal And Community Health; Knowledge Of Various Sports And Their Biomechanical And Physiological Demands; And Applicable Professional Standards And Regulations. Read on to learn the important information every athletic training major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering athletic training programs.
In the U.S., athletic training is a popular field of study, with 3,132 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Athletic Training Schools ranking analyzes these 309 schools to determine the best overall colleges for athletic training students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of athletic training programs later in this article.
Studies in Athletic Training emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations athletic training graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a athletic training program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a athletic training major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several athletic training degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 4 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 115 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 708 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,236 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 63 |
People currently working in careers related to athletic training tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 39.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 19.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 17.7% |
| Post-doctoral training | 15.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in athletic training careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in athletic training can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to athletic training.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to athletic training.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Athletic Trainers | 316,011 | -0.3% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of athletic training graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,845 |
| 4 years | $61,295 |
| 5 years | $69,015 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for athletic training graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers athletic training grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainers | $79,834 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 309 different athletic training programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased athletic training school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in athletic training, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
