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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Athletic Training Associate’s Degree Schools

9 Colleges in the United States
$16,291 Avg Student Debt
$43,126 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Athletic Training Associate's Degree Badge [Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong athletic training education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 400 schools to find the best return on investment for athletic training students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the athletic training degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Athletic Training Schools

1

Mt San Antonio College tops our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $88,132. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in athletic training will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $12,169. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $63,963. Set against $12,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $16,525. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $65,443. That is a strong return on a $16,525 median debt.

5
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Students looking for strong value in athletic training will find it at Foothill College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $107,048. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Central Arizona College landed the #6 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $11,084 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $10,250. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $55,965. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #8 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $22,336 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $65,094. Set against $22,336 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Western Nebraska Community College earned the #9 position for value in athletic training this year. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $14,507. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Weber State University placed #10 among the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $15,625. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $47,396. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt.

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Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College came in at #11 for value in athletic training this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, with out-of-state students paying around $9,486. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $52,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Tyler Junior College placed #12 among the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $16,844. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Casper College crest
Casper College
Casper, WY

Casper College landed the #13 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the city of Casper, Casper College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,410, compared with $10,710 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $13,949 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $56,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Lakeland Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Students borrow a median of $21,388 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $58,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Eastern Arizona College came in at #15 for value in athletic training this year. Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thatcher. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $40,304. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Modesto Junior College earned the #16 position for value in athletic training this year. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.

17
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College earned the #17 position for value in athletic training this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Santa Fe Community College earned the #18 position for value in athletic training this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, compared with $4,131 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $9,813. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Santa Fe Community College generally make around $51,935. That is a strong return on a $9,813 median debt.

19

Mountain Empire Community College landed the #19 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $9,036. Athletic Training graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $36,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,036 median debt.

20

East Mississippi Community College placed #20 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, compared with $7,445 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,422 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Northeast Community College landed the #21 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $40,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

22

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #22 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Students borrow a median of $23,417 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $54,892 early in their careers. Set against $23,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Cabrillo College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,270, with out-of-state students paying around $9,862. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $10,425. Athletic Training graduates of Cabrillo College earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.

24

Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earned the #24 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $57,464. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt.

25
Universidad Del Este crest
Universidad Del Este
Carolina, PR

Universidad Del Este earned the #25 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the suburb of Carolina, Universidad Del Este is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $5,625 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Universidad Del Este earn a median of $21,354 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Athletic Training Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for athletic training this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Mesa State College crest
Mesa State College
Grand Junction, CO
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45

Other Athletic Training Degree Levels

Explore the best-value athletic training schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Athletic Training
Bachelor's Degrees in Athletic Training
Master's Degrees in Athletic Training
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View All Athletic Training Rankings >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 400 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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