Research transparency
How this page was developed
Online, self-administered cross-sectional survey of current students and recent graduates of U.S. athletic training bachelor's and master's programs, fielded June 15 through July 31, 2026.
Sample size: 367
Key findings
76% of master's respondents rated career prospects good or excellent, compared with 64% of bachelor's respondents.
70% of bachelor's respondents and 78% of master's respondents were satisfied or very satisfied.
51% of bachelor's respondents and 60% of master's respondents rated degree ROI good or excellent.
What does this survey measure?
This report presents Study Kinesiology’s 2026 survey of current students and recent graduates of bachelor’s and master’s athletic training programs. It measures perceived career prospects, degree satisfaction, career confidence and readiness, perceived value relative to cost, current employment alignment, further-education plans, and whether respondents would choose or recommend the degree again.
It is primary survey research, not a school ranking, certification review, job-placement report, or causal study. The findings describe an opt-in sample and should not be read as a population estimate or proof that a degree level creates a particular career outcome.
Who was included in the 2026 Athletic Training Student Survey?
The final analytic sample was 367 respondents: 179 bachelor’s respondents (48.8%) and 188 master’s respondents (51.2%). It included 274 current students (74.7%) and 93 recent graduates (25.3%). The online survey ran from June 15 through July 31, 2026, with an estimated completion time of five to seven minutes.
Eligible respondents were at least 18 years old, currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an athletic training program, and completed the required questions. Recent graduates had finished within the preceding five years. The study excluded people outside the field, people under 18, incomplete responses, duplicate submissions, and responses that failed quality-control checks.
Recruitment used university student groups, department and program mailing lists, student organizations, LinkedIn, Reddit, and other social-media channels. This was not a probability sample. People who chose to respond may differ from people who did not see or complete the survey.
How were responses checked and reported?
The survey was online and self-administered. Duplicate submissions were identified through response metadata and or identical response patterns; only the first valid submission was retained. Responses with substantial missing data, implausibly short completion times, or patterned or inattentive responses were excluded.
Percentages use valid responses to the individual question as the denominator. For five-point items, 1 represented very poor or very dissatisfied and 5 represented excellent or very satisfied. “Good or excellent” and “satisfied or very satisfied” mean responses of 4 or 5. An athletic training-related field includes athletic training, sports medicine support, rehabilitation, performance, clinical exercise, health and wellness, or closely related work.
How did bachelor’s and master’s respondents rate career prospects?
| Reported result | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| Good or excellent career prospects | 64% (115/179) | 76% (143/188) |
| Career prospects, average | 3.6 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Confident about career | 61% (109/179) | 74% (139/188) |
| Career confidence, average | 3.4 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Feel prepared for career | 59% (106/179) | 72% (135/188) |
| Career readiness, average | 3.3 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Unsure about career path | 27% (48/179) | 18% (34/188) |
Master’s respondents in this sample reported stronger career perceptions. This comparison cannot establish that a master’s degree itself caused the difference. Career stage, clinical experience, program structure, prior work, and self-selection into graduate study can also influence responses.
How satisfied were respondents with their degree?
| Reported result | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| Satisfied or very satisfied | 70% (125/179) | 78% (147/188) |
| Overall satisfaction, average | 3.7 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Would choose degree again | 65% (116/179) | 73% (137/188) |
| Would not choose degree again | 18% (32/179) | 13% (24/188) |
| Would recommend degree | 69% (124/179) | 77% (145/188) |
| Likelihood to recommend, average | 7.0 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 |
High satisfaction does not substitute for a program-level review. A prospective student should verify the specific degree’s status and practical requirements directly with the school and the relevant credentialing or regulatory bodies.
What did respondents report about value, employment, and next steps?
| Reported result | Bachelor’s | Master’s |
|---|---|---|
| Good or excellent ROI | 51% (91/179) | 60% (113/188) |
| Degree ROI, average | 3.2 / 5 | 3.5 / 5 |
| Working in an athletic training-related field | 48% (86/179) | 67% (126/188) |
| Plan additional education | 47% (84/179) | 29% (55/188) |
The survey’s practical tension is clear: respondents reported relatively strong satisfaction and confidence, while perceived financial value was more moderate. Compare total cost, clinical requirements, licensure or credential pathway, and local employment conditions before deciding that a program is a good value.
What should prospective students do with these results?
Use this survey as one student-experience input alongside program-level facts. Ask the program advisor how clinical education is arranged, what costs are separate from tuition, which outcomes are tracked, and how the curriculum aligns with the credential or role you want.
Compare the athletic training concentration, review the kinesiology degree ROI guide, and use the online-program vetting checklist before applying.
How should this survey be cited?
Li, Mark. 2026 Athletic Training Student Survey: Career Outlook, Satisfaction, and Degree-Level Differences. Study Kinesiology. Fielded June 15 to July 31, 2026. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://studykinesiology.com/insights/2026-athletic-training-student-survey/
What are the limits of this survey?
This is a self-reported, opt-in, cross-sectional survey. It cannot establish causation, predict an individual student’s outcome, or represent all U.S. athletic training students and graduates. It does not replace institution-level outcome reporting, accreditation verification, credential eligibility review, or independently verified employment records. The published report contains aggregated findings and methodological definitions; respondent-level data are not published because survey responses may contain identifying information.
Primary sources
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