Best institutions to study Athletic Training/Trainer
A program that prepares individuals to work in consultation with, and under the supervision of physicians to prevent and treat sports injuries and associated conditions.
302 U.S. institutions graduated 3,326 Athletic Training/Trainer students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.0913, a specialization of Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09), and leads most directly to the Athletic Trainers occupation (BLS SOC 29-9091).
About Athletic Training/Trainer programs
A program that prepares individuals to work in consultation with, and under the supervision of physicians to prevent and treat sports injuries and associated conditions. Includes instruction in the identification, evaluation, and treatment of athletic injuries and illnesses; first aid and emergency care; therapeutic exercise; anatomy and physiology; exercise physiology; kinesiology and biomechanics; nutrition; sports psychology; personal and community health; knowledge of various sports and their biomechanical and physiological demands; and applicable professional standards and regulations.
See also: 26.0908 - Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology., 31.0505 - Exercise Science and Kinesiology., 31.0507 - Physical Fitness Technician.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Athletic Training/Trainer program, part of the Allied Health Diagnostic field, prepares individuals to work alongside physicians in preventing and treating sports injuries and related conditions. This program is designed for those who are passionate about sports health and wish to support athletes in their recovery and performance.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in injury identification, evaluation, and treatment, as well as knowledge in first aid, therapeutic exercise, anatomy, and nutrition. Coursework also covers sports psychology and the physiological demands of various sports.
Credentials awarded
What Athletic Training/Trainer graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree2,242 graduates / yr · 233 institutions67%
- Bachelor's degree613 graduates / yr · 58 institutions18%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year222 graduates / yr · 18 institutions6.7%
- Associate's degree128 graduates / yr · 23 institutions3.8%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice58 graduates / yr · 4 institutions1.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate17 graduates / yr · 3 institutions0.5%
- Doctor's degree - other17 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.3%
- Award of less than 12 weeks9 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years9 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.3%
Graduates over time
Athletic Training/Trainer completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4,491 |
| 2013 | 4,385 |
| 2014 | 4,615 |
| 2015 | 5,064 |
| 2016 | 5,184 |
| 2017 | 5,280 |
| 2018 | 5,580 |
| 2019 | 5,283 |
| 2020 | 4,447 |
| 2021 | 3,749 |
| 2022 | 3,393 |
| 2023 | 3,239 |
| 2024 | 3,121 |
| 2025 | 3,326 |
Top 50 institutions for Athletic Training/Trainer, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Cincinnati, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 106 | 16% | — | $48,283 |
| 2 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor's | 56 | 86% | — | $28,127 |
| 3 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 52 | 71% | — | — |
| 4 | A T Still University of Health Sciences Kirksville, MOPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 46 | — | — | — |
| 5 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicBachelor'sMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 46 | 58% | — | — |
| 6 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicMaster's | 46 | 79% | — | $44,919 |
| 7 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 45 | 75% | — | — |
| 8 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 45 | 71% | — | — |
| 9 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 43 | 43% | — | $20,195 |
| 10 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicDoctoral (prof.)Post-degree cert.Master's | 42 | 65% | — | $38,381 |
| 11 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 37 | 68% | — | — |
| 12 | City Colleges of Chicago - Malcolm X College Chicago, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 18% | — | $28,481 |
| 13 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 34 | 59% | — | $28,651 |
| 14 | Marshall University Huntington, WVPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 34 | 51% | — | $59,017 |
| 15 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 33 | 88% | — | $60,834 |
| 16 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 33 | 60% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Puerto Rico at Ponce Ponce, PRPublicBachelor's | 33 | 46% | — | — |
| 18 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicMaster's | 32 | 61% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicBachelor's | 31 | 49% | — | — |
| 20 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicMaster's | 27 | 81% | — | — |
| 21 | Concordia University - Wisconsin Mequon, WIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 26 | 68% | $24,409 | $67,407 |
| 22 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sDoctoral (prof.) | 24 | 75% | — | — |
| 23 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | 81% | $13,712 | $34,549 |
| 24 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 23 | 67% | — | — |
| 25 | State University of New York at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NYPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 22 | 59% | — | — |
| 26 | Tiffin University Tiffin, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 40% | $24,126 | — |
| 27 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 74% | — | — |
| 28 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicMaster's | 20 | 77% | — | — |
| 29 | Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GAPublicMaster's | 20 | 55% | — | $58,026 |
| 30 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 57% | — | — |
| 31 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Ponce, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 20 | 49% | $13,112 | $9,908 |
| 32 | Northland Pioneer College Holbrook, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 22% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicMaster's | 19 | 78% | — | — |
| 34 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, INPublicDoctoral (prof.)Master's | 19 | 43% | — | $33,345 |
| 35 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicMaster's | 19 | 93% | — | — |
| 36 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicMaster's | 19 | 55% | — | $67,965 |
| 37 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TXPublicMaster's | 19 | 48% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublicMaster's | 19 | 96% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster's | 18 | 71% | — | — |
| 40 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 18 | 76% | $36,137 | $69,600 |
| 41 | Aurora University Aurora, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 60% | $18,431 | — |
| 42 | East Mississippi Community College Scooba, MSPublicAssociate's | 18 | 48% | — | — |
| 43 | University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NEPublicMaster's | 18 | 47% | — | — |
| 44 | Springfield College Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 17 | 74% | $26,290 | $28,487 |
| 45 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicMaster's | 16 | 69% | — | — |
| 46 | Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 16 | 77% | $48,795 | $29,523 |
| 47 | Sterling College Sterling, KSPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 16 | 41% | $22,406 | — |
| 48 | The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Chattanooga, TNPublicMaster's | 16 | 50% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicMaster's | 16 | 65% | — | — |
| 50 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 15 | 43% | $21,535 | $38,079 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field (CIP 51.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 49 states & territories
Where Athletic Training/Trainer graduates come from. Each state links to all Allied Health Diagnostic programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-9091, Athletic Trainers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Athletic Training/Trainer program can pursue careers as Athletic Trainers or Health Specialties Teachers. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth of 11.1% and approximately 2,400 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $60,250, typically requiring a Master's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.0913
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Athletic Trainersprimary SOC 29-9091 | $62,520 | +11.1% Much faster than average | ~2,400 | Master's degree |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Athletic Training/Trainer programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
- Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
- Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
- Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
- Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.
- Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms.
Tools and technology used
Other Allied Health Diagnostic specializations
The 23 other 6-digit CIP codes under Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09).
- Emergency Medical Technology/CIP 51.0904
Technician (EMT Paramedic) 32,524 graduates / yr662 institutions - Physician Associate/CIP 51.0912
Assistant 13,740 graduates / yr277 institutions - Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0911
Science - Radiographer 13,035 graduates / yr502 institutions - Surgical Technology/CIP 51.0909
Technologist 8,514 graduates / yr460 institutions - Diagnostic Medical Sonography/CIP 51.0910
Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician 7,984 graduates / yr330 institutions - Respiratory Care Therapy/CIP 51.0908
Therapist 6,816 graduates / yr389 institutions - Medical Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0907
Science - Radiation Therapist 4,302 graduates / yr212 institutions - Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsCIP 51.09992,359 graduates / yr80 institutions
- Cardiovascular Technology/CIP 51.0901
Technologist 1,902 graduates / yr91 institutions - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology/CIP 51.0920
Technician 1,327 graduates / yr62 institutions - Electrocardiograph Technology/CIP 51.0902
Technician 858 graduates / yr43 institutions - Nuclear Medical Technology/CIP 51.0905
Technologist 707 graduates / yr69 institutions - Electroneurodiagnostic/CIP 51.0903
Electroencephalographic Technology/ Technologist 302 graduates / yr31 institutions - PolysomnographyCIP 51.0917242 graduates / yr25 institutions
- Perfusion Technology/CIP 51.0906
Perfusionist 171 graduates / yr14 institutions - Gene/CIP 51.0914
Genetic Therapy partial data92 graduates / yr3 institutions - Mammography Technology/CIP 51.0919
Technician 87 graduates / yr18 institutions - Radiation Protection/CIP 51.0916
Health Physics Technician partial data62 graduates / yr5 institutions - Cardiopulmonary Technology/CIP 51.0915
Technologist partial data51 graduates / yr4 institutions - Orthopedic Technology/CIP 51.0923
Technician limited data22 graduates / yr2 institutions - Hearing Instrument SpecialistCIP 51.0918limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hyperbaric Medicine Technology/
Technician51.0921 - Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technology/
Technician51.0922
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degree do I need to become an Athletic Trainer?+
A Master's degree is typically required for entry-level positions.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and injury assessment.
What is the job outlook for Athletic Trainers?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 11.1%.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 302 colleges offering the Athletic Training/Trainer program across the U.S.
What is the CIP code for Athletic Training/Trainer?+
Athletic Training/Trainer is CIP 51.0913 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Allied Health Diagnostic (CIP 51.09). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to work in consultation with, and under the supervision of physicians to prevent and treat sports injuries and associated conditions. Includes instruction in the identification, evaluation, and treatment of athletic injuries and illnesses; first aid and emergency care; therapeutic exercise; anatomy and physiology; exercise physiology; kinesiology and biomechanics; nutrition; sports psychology; personal and community health; knowledge of various sports and their biomechanical and physiological demands; and applicable professional standards and regulations.
How many institutions offer Athletic Training/Trainer programs?+
302 U.S. institutions reported Athletic Training/Trainer graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 49 states & territories, awarding 3,326 credentials in the year. That is 3.4% of all Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.
How much do Athletic Training/Trainer graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Athletic Trainers occupation, which Athletic Training/Trainer most directly leads to, pays a median of $62,520 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Allied Health Diagnostic field report median earnings of $54,892 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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