2026 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value athletic training schools.
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2026 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in athletic training, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Athletic Training Schools
Our analysis ranked Kean University the best value for a degree in athletic training in the Middle Atlantic Region. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Kean University earn a median of $48,705 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Northampton County Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Students borrow a median of $23,417 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $54,892. That is a strong return on a $23,417 median debt.
Frostburg State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $42,798. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $26,073. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $26,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in athletic training will find it at Salisbury University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $45,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Towson University came in at #6 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $23,717 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $118,584. Set against $23,717 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #8 for value in athletic training this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $38,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Stony Brook University earned the #9 position for value in athletic training this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $20,538. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $107,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for athletic training. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in athletic training this year. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $54,823. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania Western University earned the #12 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Daemen College landed the #13 spot for athletic training value this year. Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,218. Students borrow a median of $28,358 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Daemen College generally make around $63,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University At Buffalo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $27,000. Athletic Training graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $70,434 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Rowan University earned the #16 position for value in athletic training this year. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in athletic training this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $101,913. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #19 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Students borrow a median of $28,545 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. Set against $28,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kings College landed the #20 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $27,000. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $120,179. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kings College admits about 93% of applicants.
Chatham University came in at #21 for value in athletic training this year. Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $45,001. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $24,261 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $111,726. That is a strong return on a $24,261 median debt. Chatham University admits about 62% of applicants.
Lebanon Valley College earned the #22 position for value in athletic training this year. Located in the suburb of Annville, Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,080. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $26,767 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Lebanon Valley College earn a median of $49,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $102,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Thomas Jefferson University admits about 81% of applicants.
Messiah College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Students from in state pay about $42,240 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $48,957. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Mercyhurst College earned the #25 position for value in athletic training this year. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $25,705 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $101,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Athletic Training Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for athletic training this year:
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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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
