by our College Data Analytics Team
[Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for athletic training students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the athletic training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Harper College the best value for a degree in athletic training in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $13,842 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $64,778. That is a strong return on a $13,842 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College one of the best values for athletic training. 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, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,924 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $46,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values for athletic training. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $20,985 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $46,566. That is a strong return on a $20,985 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Aurora University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $24,507. Athletic Training graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
North Central College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Naperville, North Central College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,726 in tuition and fees. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $25,699 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $46,247. That is a strong return on a $25,699 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.