by our College Data Analytics Team
[Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for athletic training students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the athletic training degrees they offer, see the list below.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among athletic training schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northampton County Area Community College earned it the #2 place for athletic training. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $23,417 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $54,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $26,250. Athletic Training graduates of East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $34,872 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #4 place for athletic training. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for athletic training. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $27,000. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $54,823. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
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Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 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. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $70,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Gannon University landed the #8 spot for athletic training value this year. Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Gannon University earn a median of $101,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Kings College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,100. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Kings College earn a median of $120,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Chatham University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Chatham University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,001. Students borrow a median of $24,261 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Chatham University earn a median of $111,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,261 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Lebanon Valley College earned the #11 position for value in athletic training this year. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. Students from in state pay about $52,080 in tuition and fees. 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. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.
Messiah College earned the #12 position for value in athletic training this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Mercyhurst College came in at #13 for value in athletic training this year. Located in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $25,705. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $101,125. Set against $25,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Thomas Jefferson University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Students from in state pay about $47,355 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Thomas Jefferson University earn a median of $102,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Alvernia University came in at #15 for value in athletic training this year. Located in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,000. Students borrow a median of $31,900 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $53,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,900 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University landed the #16 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $28,000. Athletic Training graduates of Temple University earn a median of $65,341 early in their careers. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
Immaculata University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Immaculata University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Immaculata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,980. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $64,223. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Immaculata University admits about 86% of applicants.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #18 position for value in athletic training this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. In-state tuition and fees average $53,500. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $45,439. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #19 for value in athletic training this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $23,556 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $66,924. That is a strong return on a $23,556 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Duquesne University came in at #21 for value in athletic training this year. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $104,782. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.