Athletic Training Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of athletic injuries and conditions.
Starting Salary
$52K
median
Mid-Career
$70K
salary
ROI Payback
3.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3%
rate
Athletic Training Overview
Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of athletic injuries and conditions.
Category
Health
Degree Level
Master's
Graduation Rate
82%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
5%
Lifetime Premium
$500K
Female Graduates
55%
Athletic Training Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,900
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,900
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$481,100
Lifetime earnings premium ($500,000) minus net degree cost ($18,900)
Athletic Training Salary Progression
Common Athletic Training Careers
Athletic Trainer
Rehabilitation Specialist
Sports Medicine
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Athletic Training
#1
University of Michigan
#2
UNC
#3
Ohio State
#4
University of Virginia
#5
Penn State
Athletic Training Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
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