Best Colleges for Athletic Training Programs 2024
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Editor & Writer
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Editor & Writer
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Athletic trainers specialize in injury prevention, clinical diagnosis, and treatment for all people, including injured athletes. Because of the medical responsibilities of the profession, most states require athletic trainers to hold professional certification.
While you can become a personal trainer with just about any education, becoming a certified athletic trainer requires a master's degree in athletic training.
On this page, we take a closer look at the best colleges for athletic training, how you can choose between them, and where a degree in this field can take you.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Athletic Training Programs of 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $380
Out-of-State | $380
Credits to Graduate: 120
UL Lafayette's online BS in kinesiology program offers a concentration in health promotion and wellness that can help you prepare for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) examination. The program features asynchronous online courses that run through accelerated eight-week or 16-week sessions.
During your final year, you'll complete a capstone project or a supervised internship, which you can complete at a location near you. As an online student at UL Lafayette, you pay the same tuition rate no matter where you live. With this degree, you can pursue careers as a health educator, program coordinator, or wellness instructor.
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Programmatic Accreditation: National Committee for Accreditation of Coaching Education (NCACE)
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $397
Out-of-State | $397
Credits to Graduate: 120
One of three kinesiology emphases, USM's BS in sport coaching provides training in coaching methodologies and sports psychology. With courses in sports pedagogy, resistance training, and athlete safety, this program can prepare you for training opportunities in nonprofit and professional sports organizations.
In the final year of the program, you complete a capstone course with an internship. Your online courses may run synchronously, asynchronously, or both. In addition to giving you scheduling flexibility, USM also waives out-of-state tuition for online students.
Eastern New Mexico University
Portales, NM - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $298
Out-of-State | $380
Credits to Graduate: 120
You can complete ENMU's online BS in physical education with an emphasis in sports and recreation management completely online or in a hybrid format. Career opportunities with this degree include personal training, fitness entrepreneur, and sports management.
Your online courses run entirely asynchronously online with the exception of an internship in your final year. The flat-rate tuition for full-time students means you can take between 12-18 credits for the same price. While not required, ENMU suggests you complete kinesiology, anatomy, and exercise science prior to applying.
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
What to Expect From an Online Athletic Training Program
An online bachelor's in athletic training typically requires 120 credits and takes four years to complete. However, if you have already completed some college credits, you can complete an accelerated online program in 1-3 years.
An online athletic training program can look different depending on where you complete it, but there are some common features to these programs. Most programs at the bachelor's level, for instance, focus on preparing you for a master's degree.
While many of the courses may be available online, the clinical components need to be completed on campus or on-site at a location near you.
Here are some of the courses you will likely see in your program:
Courses You Can Expect to Take in an Athletic Training Program
Kinesiology
The study of movement, this course may cover topics like exercise physiology, motor control, and motor development.
Therapeutic Interventions
This course examines the injury treatment processes and practices, healing, pain control, and post-injury health.
Current Trends in Athletic Training
In this course, you study the latest literature and practices in athletic training.
Nutrition for Sport and Fitness
This course explores nutritional science, needs, and planning as it relates to sports and fitness.
Clinical Practicum
Clinical practicums put you in a real-world sport or athletic setting for you to apply what you've learned.
How to Choose an Online Athletic Training Program
Choosing the best colleges for athletic training takes time and care. Below, we've detailed some of the things you should consider while researching online programs.
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Program Format
Most online programs come in one of two formats: synchronous or asynchronous. Online synchronous programs feature live classes and lectures — often during the evening or on weekends — whereas asynchronous programs have deadlines but no set study times.
Choose the program that works with your schedule — think about if you need a full-time, part-time, or accelerated program. -
Cost
When looking at education costs, you'll typically find that public schools cost less than private schools. In addition, out-of-state students sometimes pay higher tuition rates than in-state students.
However, this isn't always the case, as some online colleges cost the same for all students, regardless of whether they're in-state or out-of-state. Be sure to check each prospective program you're considering. When comparing costs, you should also look at financial aid packages — these can considerably reduce what you end up paying. -
Location
Regardless if you study online or on campus, you need to think about location. While many online programs run entirely online, some feature campus residency requirements or internships that need to be completed near campus
For example, most athletic training programs feature in-person requirements that may need to be completed in a specific location. -
Accreditation
Online college accreditation comes in two forms: institutional and programmatic. While institutional accreditation impacts financial aid and transfer credits, programmatic accreditation can have a serious impact on employment and postgraduate credentials.
For an athletic training degree to lead to professional certification, for example, it needs programmatic accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). -
Student Support
How a school supports you will have a considerable effect on your educational experience. While most schools offer student services, the type and level they provide varies.
Look for a college that offers academic advising, learning resources, and career services that were designed with online students in mind.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Admission Requirements for an Online Athletic Training Program
Applying to online college generally works the same as in-person programs, except for the possibility of more available start dates. Since most athletic training programs provide pathways to master's degrees, the standards for admission may be more specific.
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Application
Your application requires you to fill out your personal information and details about your education and interests. -
Test Scores
Some schools require SAT or ACT scores, while others are test-optional, giving you the option to submit your scores if you believe they'll help. -
Letters of Recommendation
Most programs require recommendation letters from people who can speak to your educational or professional abilities, such as teachers or work supervisors. -
Essays
Some schools ask for an essay on a personal or specific topic — serving as additional information and a writing sample. -
Official Transcripts
Your official transcripts showing your academic record, including any completed college coursework, will always be required.
What Can You Do With a Bachelor's in Athletic Training Degree?
A bachelor's in athletic training can help prepare you for entry-level careers in sports medicine and coaching. With additional training, you may also be qualified for other healthcare-related careers such as exercise physiology and health education. However, to become a licensed athletic trainer, you must go to graduate school.
It was recently decided by the AT Strategic Alliance that a master's degree is the minimum educational requirement to pursue athletic training. Upon earning your graduate degree, you'll be qualified to take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam, which you must pass to become a practicing athletic trainer.
Below are several jobs you may be able to pursue with a bachelor's in athletic training:
- Fitness instructor
- Coach or scout
- Personal trainer
- Exercise physiologist
- Health educator
How Much Do Athletic Trainers Make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), athletic trainers earn between $39,670 and $78,000 per year, with a median annual salary of about $53,840. Athletic trainers who pursue continuing education or obtain a professional degree can earn more.
For example, physical therapists earn between $67,000 and $129,000 per year, with a median annual salary of $97,720, according to the BLS.
Continuing Education
A variety of continuing education options exist for graduates of athletic training programs. Many students go on to pursue a master's degree, which is the minimum education required to become a licensed athletic trainer.
Upon completing your master's degree, you must earn professional certification to become a practicing athletic trainer and meet ongoing continuing education requirements to maintain your certification.
There are doctorate programs for athletic trainers who wish to advance their clinical decision-making skills and further explore the role of athletic training in healthcare and public health.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Athletic Training Programs
What are the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor's in athletic training?
The salary for jobs you can pursue with a bachelor's in athletic training varies depending upon the occupation and environment you work in.
For example, the median salary for coaches and scouts at colleges and universities is about $51,000 per year, while exercise physiologists who work for the government earn a median of about $84,000.
Is a bachelor's in athletic training worth it?
Whether an athletic training degree is worth it comes down to your financial and career goals. While the average salary may not be as attractive as other healthcare occupations that require a similar degree, the demand for athletic trainers is rising and shows no signs of slowing down.
The BLS projects a 14% growth rate for athletic trainer positions, which can make it easier to find a job in this field. Ultimately, a bachelor's in athletic training can be worth the time and money it costs if you're passionate about fitness and helping others achieve their goals.
Additionally, 85% of online students report that they believe their degree to have been worth the investment, making an online bachelor's in athletic training well worth considering. In some cases, an online degree might also cost less.
Do you need a master's degree to become an athletic trainer?
Yes, you need a master's degree to become a nationally certified athletic trainer. In fact, California remains the only state to not regulate the professional title "athletic trainer." For eligibility, your degree must come from a CAATE-accredited master's program.
Are athletic trainers in demand?
As a licensed athletic trainer, you can expect a good career outlook. The BLS projects the number of athletic trainer jobs to grow by 14% between 2022-2032, more than twice as fast as the projected rate for all other occupations.
