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Head athletic trainer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a head athletic trainer. Head athletic trainers usually study athletic training, kinesiology, or health education. 74% of head athletic trainers hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,256 real head athletic trainer resumes to see exactly what head athletic trainer education sections show.
The most common colleges for head athletic trainers are the California University of Pennsylvania and the California University of Pennsylvania.
There are also many online head athletic trainer courses to help get the education required to be a head athletic trainer.
There are certain head athletic trainer certifications that you should consider. These head athletic trainer certifications include Athletic Trainer Certification (ATC) and Sports Medicine.
What education do you need to become a head athletic trainer?
What degree do you need to be a head athletic trainer?
- Bachelor's, 74%
- Master's, 20%
- Associate, 4%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a head athletic trainer?
- Athletic Training, 52%
- Kinesiology, 17%
- Health Education, 10%
- Medicine, 4%
- Other Majors, 17%
Most common colleges for head athletic trainers
| Head athletic trainer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| California University of Pennsylvania | 7.29% |
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | 7.29% |
| West Virginia University | 6.88% |
| University of Central Florida | 6.48% |
| Ohio University | 6.07% |
Best majors for head athletic trainers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athletic Training | 52.3% |
| 2 | Kinesiology | 16.8% |
| 3 | Health Education | 9.9% |
| 4 | Medicine | 3.9% |
| 5 | Education | 3.1% |
Best colleges for head athletic trainers
The best colleges for head athletic trainers are Northwestern University, University of Tulsa, and Northeastern University.
A head athletic trainer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for head athletic trainers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become head athletic trainers.
1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$54,104
Enrollment
7,089
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
6. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
8. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
10. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
20 best online courses for head athletic trainers
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Top 10 most affordable universities for head athletic trainers
The most affordable schools for head athletic trainers are Brigham Young University, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for head athletic trainers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for head athletic trainers.
1. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
9. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
10. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for head athletic trainers
The hardest universities for head athletic trainers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Tulsa, and Northeastern University.
Some great schools for head athletic trainers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for head athletic trainers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
3. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
4. Georgetown University
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,456
5. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
7. Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
58%
SAT average
1,304
8. Baylor University
Waco, TX • Private
Admissions rate
39%
SAT average
1,307
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for head athletic trainers
The easiest schools for head athletic trainers to get into are Barry University, life university, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a head athletic trainer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for head athletic trainers.
1. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
2. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
7. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
8. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
9. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
10. Clarke University
Dubuque, IA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,058
Average head athletic trainer salary by education level
| Head athletic trainer education level | Head athletic trainer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $51,848 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $48,631 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $45,977 |
Head athletic trainer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025