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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the Southeast Region

30 Colleges in the United States
$23,676 Avg Student Debt
$54,809 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Athletic Training Badge [Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 80 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for athletic training students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Athletic Training Schools in the Southeast Region

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
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in athletic training in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $107,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

A rank of #2 makes Marshall University one of the best values for athletic training. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $22,789. Athletic Training graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $59,017 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,789 median debt. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $63,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

4

Florida International University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $99,899. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

5
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #5 place for athletic training. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $20,750. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $68,066. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

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6

Mountain Empire Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,036 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $36,988. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

The University Of West Florida earned the #7 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

8

University Of Central Florida earned the #8 position for value in athletic training this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $19,319 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $51,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

9
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University landed the #9 spot for athletic training value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $30,103 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $52,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.

10

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $28,999 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $56,947. Set against $28,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #11 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $31,663. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

12

East Mississippi Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $9,422. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $34,012. Set against $9,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #13 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $50,726. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.

14

Western Carolina University placed #14 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $23,835 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $53,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

15

West Virginia University landed the #15 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $51,750. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Mississippi Main Campus came in at #16 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the town of University, University Of Mississippi Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,772, while out-of-state students pay about $28,600. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $50,045. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

17

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in athletic training this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,202 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arkansas State University Main Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

18

University Of Georgia came in at #18 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $22,634. Athletic Training graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

19

The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga landed the #19 spot for athletic training value this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $23,324 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $43,821. That is a strong return on a $23,324 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.

20

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #20 among the best values for athletic training. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $21,537 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $67,997. Set against $21,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

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21

Old Dominion University placed #21 among the best values for athletic training. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

22

Jacksonville State University placed #22 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the suburb of Jacksonville, Jacksonville State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $55,867. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

23

Georgia Southern University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $58,026 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

24
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University came in at #24 for value in athletic training this year. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $83,490. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Kentucky ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. University Of Kentucky is a very large public school located in the city of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $24,094. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $99,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Athletic Training Schools

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

26
27
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR
28
29
30
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA
31
Lee University crest
Lee University
Cleveland, TN
32
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
Bellarmine University crest
Bellarmine University
Louisville, KY
41
42
Methodist University crest
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC
43
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
44
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
45
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
46
47
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

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Notes and References

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 · 80 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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