# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/alternative-and-complementary-medicine-and-medical-systems
- CIP code: 51.33 (Health Professions and Related Programs)
- Colleges offering it: 25 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 25 | $28,111 | $33,801 | $11,833 |
| Associate's | 6 | $32,085 | $33,500 | not reported |
| Bachelor's | 10 | $32,695 | $42,154 | $28,875 |
| Master's | 15 | $36,277 | $33,749 | $99,572 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 3 | $38,040 | $38,718 | $99,309 |
| First professional | 6 | $33,806 | $34,773 | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 12 | not reported | $116,187 | $102,125 |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [Metropolitan State University of Denver](https://www.collegesref.com/college/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver-1667) | Denver, CO | $45,766 | $19,000 |
| [Ashford University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/ashford-university-121) | San Diego, CA | $44,036 | $40,444 |
| [Vermont Technical College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/vermont-technical-college-3121) | Randolph, VT | $40,273 | $26,636 |
| [Everglades University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/everglades-university-930) | Boca Raton, FL | $36,960 | $40,291 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/healthcare-diagnosing-or-treating-practitioners-all-other): $115,210 median pay
- [Naturopathic Physicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/naturopathic-physicians): $115,210 median pay
- [Orthoptists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/orthoptists): $115,210 median pay
- [Acupuncturists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/acupuncturists): $76,040 median pay
- [Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/healthcare-practitioners-and-technical-workers-all-other): $65,790 median pay
- [Midwives](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/midwives): $65,790 median pay

## More in Health Professions and Related Programs

- [Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/registered-nursing-nursing-administration-nursing-research-and-clinical-nursing): 1,111 colleges
- [Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/allied-health-diagnostic-intervention-and-treatment-professions): 930 colleges
- [Health and Medical Administrative Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/health-and-medical-administrative-services): 890 colleges
- [Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/practical-nursing-vocational-nursing-and-nursing-assistants): 864 colleges
- [Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/allied-health-and-medical-assisting-services): 796 colleges
- [Public Health](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/public-health): 540 colleges
- [Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/health-services-allied-health-health-sciences-general): 461 colleges
- [Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/mental-and-social-health-services-and-allied-professions): 424 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/