ProgramsHealth Professions and Related Programs

    Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems

    CIP51.33

    25 colleges offer Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems. See what it covers, which degree levels are available and what graduates earn and borrow.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Colleges offering it
    25
    at its most common level
    Bachelor's earnings
    $42,154
    median, 4 years after
    Bachelor's debt
    $28,875
    median federal loans
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    Colleges offering it, by degree level

    Certificate
    25
    Associate's
    6
    Bachelor's
    10
    Master's
    15
    Post-baccalaureate certificate
    2
    Doctoral
    3
    First professional
    6
    Graduate/professional certificate
    12
    Published colleges reporting the program. College Scorecard field of study, 2025.

    What it covers

    About Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems

    A general program that focuses on the theories, science, and practice of alternative and complementary medicine and medical systems. Includes instruction in understanding acupuncture, herbal medicine, naturopathy, homeopathy, and other alternative and complementary medicine modalities; mind-body therapies; nutrition; comparison of conventional and alternative medicine; and medical ethics; and may include training in specific alternative and complementary medicine modalities.

    Definition: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs 2020, code 51.33.

    Programs in this field

    Colleges report these specific programs under CIP 51.33.

    • Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems, General
    • Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
    • Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology
    • Naturopathic Medicine/Naturopathy
    • Homeopathic Medicine/Homeopathy
    • Ayurvedic Medicine/Ayurveda
    • Holistic/Integrative Health

    By degree level

    Earnings and debt by degree level

    Medians across colleges of each college's own program median. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working.

    Colleges offering Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems and median graduate earnings and debt at each degree level
    Degree levelCollegesMedian earningsMedian debt
    Certificate25$33,8014 yrs after · 4 colleges$11,8337 colleges
    Associate's6$33,5004 yrs after · 2 collegesNot reported
    Bachelor's10$42,1544 yrs after · 4 colleges$28,8756 colleges
    Master's15$33,7494 yrs after · 6 colleges$99,5727 colleges
    Post-baccalaureate certificate2Not reportedNot reported
    Doctoral3$38,7184 yrs after · 1 college$99,3092 colleges
    First professional6$34,7734 yrs after · 2 collegesNot reported
    Graduate/professional certificate12$116,1874 yrs after · 1 college$102,1251 college

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Colleges with too few graduates have their earnings and debt suppressed, so the number of colleges reporting is smaller than the number offering the program.

    Bachelor's programs

    Where Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates earn the most

    Median earnings four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates in the latest year. Earnings are one measure; cost and graduation rate matter too.

    1. 1Metropolitan State University of Denver logo

      Metropolitan State University of Denver

      Denver, CO · Public · 28 graduates

      $45,766

      debt $19,000

    2. 2Ashford University logo

      Ashford University

      San Diego, CA · — · 46 graduates

      $44,036

      debt $40,444

    3. 3Vermont Technical College logo

      Vermont Technical College

      Randolph, VT · Public · 21 graduates

      $40,273

      debt $26,636

    4. 4Everglades University logo

      Everglades University

      Boca Raton, FL · Private nonprofit · 106 graduates

      $36,960

      debt $40,291

    Careers

    Careers this program leads to

    Occupations linked to Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems by the NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, highest national median pay first. Pay and outlook are BLS figures for each occupation.

    Career explorer
    • Bright outlook

      Healthcare practitioners

      Naturopathic Physicians

      Median pay
      $115,210
      Outlook
      Faster than average

      Master's degree

      • Reading Comprehension
      • Active Listening
      • Critical Thinking
    • Bright outlook

      Healthcare practitioners

      Orthoptists

      Median pay
      $115,210
      Outlook
      Faster than average

      Master's degree

      • Active Listening
      • Reading Comprehension
      • Critical Thinking
    • Bright outlook

      Healthcare practitioners

      Acupuncturists

      Median pay
      $76,040
      Outlook
      Much faster than average

      Master's degree

      • Active Listening
      • Critical Thinking
      • Service Orientation
    • Bright outlook

      Healthcare practitioners

      Midwives

      Median pay
      $65,790
      Outlook
      Faster than average

      Postsecondary certificate

      • Social Perceptiveness
      • Critical Thinking
      • Monitoring

    Other programs in the same area of study, by how many colleges offer them.

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    Questions about Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems

    How many colleges offer Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems?

    Published colleges on CollegesRef report Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems at these degree levels: certificate (25 colleges), associate's (6 colleges), bachelor's (10 colleges), master's (15 colleges), post-baccalaureate certificate (2 colleges), doctoral (3 colleges), first professional (6 colleges), graduate/professional certificate (12 colleges). Counts are from College Scorecard field-of-study data (2025).

    What do Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates earn?

    At the median college, bachelor's graduates in Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems earn $42,154 a year four years after finishing, across 4 colleges that report earnings. Figures cover graduates who received federal aid.

    Where do Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems graduates earn the most?

    Metropolitan State University of Denver reports the highest median earnings for bachelor's graduates in Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems: $45,766 four years after finishing, among programs with at least 10 graduates.