by our College Data Analytics Team
[Athletic Training](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/athletic-training/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Grayson College the best value for a degree in athletic training in Texas. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $55,965. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt.
Midwestern State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Midwestern State University generally make around $67,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Tyler Junior College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $16,844. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Tyler Junior College generally make around $43,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $58,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in athletic training will find it at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #5. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $62,783. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
1
2
3
4
5
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among the best values for athletic training. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Set against $25,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Tarleton State University landed the #7 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Athletic Training graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Athletic Training graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $56,785 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #8 spot for athletic training value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the athletic training program here. Athletic Training graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $41,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Hardin Simmons University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value athletic training schools. Hardin Simmons University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Abilene. Students from in state pay about $32,960 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for athletic training graduates is $26,674. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Hardin Simmons University generally make around $113,805. Set against $26,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas Christian University placed #10 among the best values for athletic training. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,740. Students borrow a median of $22,960 to complete the athletic training program here. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. That is a strong return on a $22,960 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Baylor University came in at #11 for value in athletic training this year. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the athletic training program here. Early-career athletic training graduates make about $49,888. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Roughly 51% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.