Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs
CIP 5133 · Health Professions & Clinical Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
36 institutions report graduate earnings for Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $37,011 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 2.50× and 52% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 38 of the 44 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
National ranking
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drexel UniversityPA · Grad cert | $116,187 n=18 | – | $66,625 | 0.57× | Above +81% | – |
| 2 | St Catherine UniversityMN · Master's | $67,910 n=20 | – | $37,960 | 0.56× | Below -1% | – |
| 3 | Sonoran University of Health SciencesAZ · Professional | $61,302 n=79 | 64% 1yr | $224,000 | 3.65× | Below +0% | – |
| 4 | Northern Essex Community CollegeMA · UG cert | $60,753 n=24 | – | $7,000 | 0.12× | Above +40% | – |
| 5 | Bastyr UniversityWA · Doctoral | $53,515 n=189 | 43% | $300,530 | 5.62× | Below -28% | Below 2/2 |
| 6 | National University of Health SciencesIL · Doctoral | $49,244 n=63 | 81% 5yr | $203,837 | 4.14× | Below -28% | Below 2/2 |
| 7 | Northeast College of Health SciencesNY · Master's | $49,052 n=32 | – | $127,766 | 2.60× | Below -31% | – |
| 8 | National University of Natural MedicineOR · Professional | $48,358 n=221 | 19% | $263,594 | 5.45× | Below -22% | Below 2/2 |
| 9 | Metropolitan State University of DenverCO · Bachelor's | $45,766 n=40 | 56% 1yr | $20,698 | 0.45× | Above +10% | Below 1/2 |
| 10 | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesMA · Master's | $45,248 n=57 | 54% 1yr | $92,150 | 2.04× | Below -40% | – |
| 11 | Bastyr UniversityWA · Master's | $45,224 n=36 | – | $156,482 | 3.46× | Below -40% | Below 2/2 |
| 12 | California Institute of Integral StudiesCA · Doctoral | $45,097 n=62 | 47% 1yr | $112,750 | 2.50× | Below -40% | – |
| 13 | The University of Arizona Global CampusAZ · Bachelor's | $44,036 n=202 | 58% | $31,375 | 0.71× | Above +20% | Below 1/2 |
| 14 | Colorado Chinese Medicine UniversityCO · Master's | $42,437 n=30 | 54% 5yr | $92,815 | 2.19× | Below -37% | Below 2/2 |
| 15 | Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College-BerkeleyCA · Master's | $41,043 n=25 | 75% 5yr | $102,806 | 2.50× | Below -45% | Below 2/2 |
| 16 | Vermont State UniversityVT · Bachelor's | $40,273 n=24 | – | – | – | Above +3% | – |
| 17 | Northwestern Health Sciences UniversityMN · Master's | $39,071 n=22 | – | $105,778 | 2.71× | Below -43% | – |
| 18 | University of BridgeportCT · Doctoral | $38,718 n=20 | 72% 5yr | $175,111 | 4.52× | Below -48% | Below 2/2 |
| 19 | Won Institute of Graduate StudiesPA · Master's | $38,633 n=27 | – | – | – | Below -40% | – |
| 20 | Front Range Community CollegeCO · Associate | $38,213 n=18 | – | $19,249 | 0.50× | Below -8% | Below 2/2 |
| 21 | National University of Health SciencesIL · Master's | $37,753 n=30 | – | $133,129 | 3.53× | Below -45% | – |
| 22 | Eastern School of Acupuncture and Traditional MedicineNJ · Master's | $37,062 n=18 | – | – | – | Below -52% | – |
| 23 | Everglades UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $36,960 n=152 | 41% | $41,749 | 1.13× | Above +9% | Below 1/2 |
| 24 | Southwest Institute of Healing ArtsAZ · UG cert | $36,360 n=136 | 32% | $7,917 | 0.22× | Below -1% | Below 2/2 |
| 25 | Pacific College of Health and ScienceCA · Professional | $34,773 n=186 | 52% 1yr | $31,631 | 0.91× | Below -54% | – |
| 26 | Pacific College of Health and ScienceIL · Professional | $34,773 n=186 | 52% 1yr | $31,631 | 0.91× | Below -49% | – |
| 27 | Midwest College of Oriental Medicine-RacineWI · Master's | $34,068 n=28 | – | $85,644 | 2.51× | Below -45% | – |
| 28 | Midwest College of Oriental Medicine-SkokieIL · Master's | $34,068 n=28 | – | $85,644 | 2.51× | Below -50% | – |
| 29 | Dragon Rises College of Oriental MedicineFL · Master's | $32,563 n=17 | – | $119,680 | 3.67× | Below -41% | – |
| 30 | Front Range Community CollegeCO · UG cert | $31,243 n=33 | – | $15,249 | 0.49× | Below -25% | – |
| 31 | American College of Healthcare SciencesOR · UG cert | $31,204 n=68 | 37% 1yr | $10,597 | 0.34× | Below -15% | – |
| 32 | Won Institute of Graduate StudiesPA · Grad cert | $29,420 n=18 | – | $75,122 | 2.55× | Below -54% | – |
| 33 | Southwest Institute of Healing ArtsAZ · Associate | $28,787 n=72 | 85% | $16,000 | 0.56× | Below -22% | Below 2/2 |
| 34 | Pacific College of Health and ScienceCA · Master's | $28,428 n=200 | 28% | $109,746 | 3.86× | Below -62% | Below 2/2 |
| 35 | Pacific College of Health and ScienceIL · Master's | $28,428 n=200 | 28% | $109,746 | 3.86× | Below -58% | Below 2/2 |
| 36 | Pacific College of Health and ScienceNY · Master's | $28,428 n=200 | 28% | $109,746 | 3.86× | Below -60% | Below 2/2 |
| 37 | Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese MedicineNC · Master's | $27,913 n=21 | – | $81,949 | 2.94× | Below -52% | – |
| 38 | Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & AcupunctureAZ · Professional | $25,985 n=17 | – | $92,761 | 3.57× | Below -58% | – |
| 39 | Southern California University of Health SciencesCA · UG cert | $25,591 n=38 | – | $11,400 | 0.45× | Below -33% | – |
| 40 | Virginia University of Integrative MedicineVA · Master's | $24,835 n=17 | – | $38,500 | 1.55× | Below -65% | – |
| 41 | American College of Healthcare SciencesOR · Associate | $24,120 n=66 | 53% 1yr | $29,500 | 1.22× | Below -34% | – |
| 42 | EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San JuanPR · Master's | $22,632 n=22 | – | $25,000 | 1.10× | Below -19% | – |
| 43 | Atlantic Institute of Oriental MedicineFL · Master's | $20,137 n=39 | – | $61,500 | 3.05× | Below -64% | Below 2/2 |
| 44 | Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical ArtsNC · Master's | $19,737 n=22 | – | $113,632 | 5.76× | Below -66% | – |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
By state, median earnings, 4 yrs out
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $40,325 | 4 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,633 | 3 |
| Arizona | $36,360 | 5 |
| Illinois | $34,773 | 5 |
| California | $34,773 | 5 |
| Florida | $32,563 | 3 |
| Oregon | $31,204 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs, by median graduate earnings.
Frequently asked
Which colleges have the highest-paying Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs in this dataset are Drexel University ($116,187), St Catherine University ($67,910), Sonoran University of Health Sciences ($61,302). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 38 of the 44 Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
Track Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems programs across your peer set
We build tailored dashboards, the fields, institutions and risk signals your enrollment or program-review team cares about, kept current. Tell us what you'd want to watch.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.