What Are the Top Colleges with Sports Medicine Degree Programs?
Several highly ranked universities offer sports medicine degree programs. Read on to learn about each of these universities, including the specific details of the degree programs they offer.
Best Sports Medicine Colleges
For those interested in a career in sports medicine, it is important to choose programs that will best prepare you for entering the workforce. This article will cover five highly ranked schools in the U.S. that offer programs in the field of sports medicine, both on the undergraduate and graduate levels. Sports medicine degree programs are sometimes within the field of physical therapy, kinesiology, or athletic training.
Universities With Sports Medicine Programs
Colleges With Sports Medicine Majors
1. Rice University
Located in Houston, Texas, Rice University is tied for #17 in the U.S. News & World Report's ranking of national universities for 2020. They offer a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Medicine where students have the opportunity to study biomechanics, nutrition, and anatomy relating to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sports and exercise injuries. Courses include human physiology, sports psychology, research methods, and medical terminology.
| University Type | 4-year private, not-for-profit |
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019) | $47,350 |
| Student Enrollment | Approximately 4,000 undergraduate students |
2. Pepperdine University
This Malibu, California university is tied for #50 according to the U.S. News & World Report's 2020 national university rankings. The school offers both a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Art in Sports Medicine. In addition to sports medicine courses, the B.S. requires courses in the natural sciences, while the B.A. includes exercise science and applied health courses. The Bachelor of Science program is designed for those interested in moving forward with a medical career. The Bachelor of Arts program prepares those who want to enter the workforce in the field of health and fitness, or to pursue graduate programs in sports science. The school also offers a minor in sports medicine that can be added onto a major in a different discipline.
| University Type | 4-year private, not-for-profit |
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019) | $53,932 |
| Student Enrollment | Approximately 3,600 undergraduate students |
3. Florida State University
FSU, in Tallahassee, Florida, is ranked #57 among national universities, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2020 list, and offers a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training. The program includes both classroom learning and practical experience, including regularly participating in clinical rotations. In order to be accepted into the program, students are required to fill out an entirely separate application from the general FSU admission procedure. Some of the courses in the program include nutrition, anatomy and physiology, physics, and biological science.
| University Type | 4-year public |
| Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019) | $5,656 (in-state) $18,786 (out-of-state) |
| Student Enrollment | Approximately 32,500 undergraduate students |
Master's in Sports Medicine Degree Programs
4. University of Southern California
For 2020, the University of Southern California rank tied for #22 among national universities, according to U.S. News & World Report and is located in Los Angeles, California. Those aspiring for a career in sports medicine can enroll in the Master of Science in Biokinesiology with an emphasis in sports science program. The curriculum covers topics such as human movement, biostatistics, as well as overviews of the neurological, musculoskeletal, and physiological systems of the human body. Students are also required to complete an internship to learn practical skills in the field.
| University Type | 4-year private, not-for-profit |
| Graduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019) | $45,561 |
| Student Enrollment | Approximately 27,400 graduate students |
5. University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is #28 in U.S. News & World Report's 2020 rankings of national universities and is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. Their Master of Science in Athletic Training program is focused on practical experience and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The program is a year-round program, lasting for 24 months, and prepares graduates to take the Board of Certification (BOC) examination in order to become a certified athletic trainer, which can lead to entry-level positions in the field. Students will spend significant amounts of their time during the program in a clinical setting, learning hands-on skills that intend to prepare them to go directly into the workforce.
| University Type | 4-year public |
| Graduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019) | $18,848 (in-state) $29,660 (out-of-state) |
| Student Enrollment | Approximately 7,900 graduate students |