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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Athletic Training Schools in the Southwest Region

13 Colleges in the United States
249 Athletic Training Degrees Awarded
$60,439 Avg Early-Career Salary

Athletic Training degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for athletic training students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Athletic Training in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall athletic training education in the Southwest Region.

Top Schools in Athletic Training

1

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in athletic training. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 10 athletic training degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Students borrow a median of $25,625 to complete this degree. Read more about the athletic training program at The University Of Texas At Austin

2

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #2 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Lubbock. There were roughly 29 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center generally make around $101,336. Typical student debt for the program is $24,889. Get the full athletic training details for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

3

Baylor University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in athletic training, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the athletic training program make about $49,888 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete this degree. Get the full athletic training details for Baylor University

4

Texas Christian University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best athletic training schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 11 athletic training degrees were awarded at Texas Christian University in the most recent year. Students who receive their athletic training degree from Texas Christian University earn around $60,035 in the first couple years of their career. Texas Christian University graduates carry a median of $22,960 in student loans. See the full athletic training program report for Texas Christian University

5

Northern Arizona University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in athletic training, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 35 athletic training degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Graduates of the athletic training program make about $105,814 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,645. Get the full athletic training details for Northern Arizona University

6

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #6 position for athletic training this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 16 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Athletic Training graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $41,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031. Read more about the athletic training program at Texas A And M University College Station

7

Texas State University San Marcos came in at #7 for athletic training this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent data year. Graduates of the athletic training program make about $62,783 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. Get the full athletic training details for Texas State University San Marcos

8

Grand Canyon University earned the #8 position for athletic training this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. There were roughly 16 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their athletic training degree from Grand Canyon University earn around $38,079 in the first couple years of their career. Grand Canyon University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. See the full athletic training program report for Grand Canyon University

9

Rio Salado College came in at #9 for athletic training this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. About 60 athletic training degrees were awarded at Rio Salado College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete this degree. See the full athletic training program report for Rio Salado College

10

University Of Houston ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best athletic training schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 athletic training students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, athletic training degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $58,469. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. More information about a degree in athletic training from University Of Houston

11
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University landed the #11 spot for athletic training this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Tarleton State University awarded about 14 athletic training degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the athletic training program make about $56,785 in their early career. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Read more about the athletic training program at Tarleton State University

12

Northland Pioneer College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best athletic training schools. Set in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public institution. About 14 athletic training degrees were awarded at Northland Pioneer College in the most recent year. Students who receive their athletic training degree from Northland Pioneer College earn around $44,117 in the first couple years of their career. Northland Pioneer College graduates carry a median of $8,680 in student loans. More information about a degree in athletic training from Northland Pioneer College

Narrow Athletic Training Schools by State

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 46 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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