by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 82 U.S. colleges awarded 2,982 degrees and certificates in Alternative Medicine & Systems. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 49% of graduates. College Factual ranks 36 schools in its 2027 Best Alternative Medicine & Systems Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $31,215 one year after completing, rising to $38,117 after four years.
Although Western medicine has made dramatic advances and can treat and cure a variety of illnesses, some people prefer to use herbal remedies or more holistic treatments. A degree in Alternative Medicine and Systems will allow you to learn about many the natural and alternative treatments available.
Students with a degree in Alternative Medicine and Systems often work with organic ingredients to cure illnesses and work to find the cause of illnesses instead of treating just the symptoms. Students take classes in nutrition, medical ethics, herbalism, acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga, and massage to learn how to treat patients without relying on manufactured drugs or dangerous chemicals.
Some areas of specialization in this field include general Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbology, Naturopathic Medicine, Homeopathic Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Holistic Health, and Direct Entry Midwifery.
A degree in Alternative Medicine & Systems involves the study of Alternative And Complementary Medicine And Medical Systems.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., alternative medicine & systems is a popular field of study, with 2,982 degrees awarded annually. 82 colleges award alternative medicine & systems degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 293.
By level, the 2,982 awards include 308 certificates, 90 associate degrees, 334 bachelor’s degrees, 1,457 master’s degrees and 793 doctorates.
Women earned 82% of alternative medicine & systems degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,430 of 2,982). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,347) and Asian (498), and international students earned 93.
College Factual ranks 36 schools in its 2027 Best Alternative Medicine & Systems Schools ranking, including 2 for associate degrees, 7 for bachelor’s degrees, 20 for master’s degrees and 9 for doctorates. It also ranks alternative medicine & systems schools within 14 states. In all, 82 colleges offer alternative medicine & systems programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Alternative Medicine & Systems Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common alternative medicine & systems credential is the master’s degree: 1,457 of the 2,982 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to alternative medicine & systems call most for Critical Thinking, Active Listening and Speaking, and for knowledge of Medicine and Dentistry, Customer and Personal Service and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Problem Sensitivity, Deductive Reasoning and Oral Expression.
Students in the Alternative Medicine and Systems major are committed to working with natural ingredients and using a variety of treatments to help patients. Since professionals are devoted to finding the cause of the illness, strong observation and analytical thinking skills allows professionals to listen to patients and figure out what is causing pain or sickness. Strong interpersonal and communication skills also help professionals work closely with others and make them feel comfortable under their care.
A degree in Alternative Medicine and Systems often leads to a fulltime job in the field. Professionals work at alternative medical clinics or specialized medical offices where they can meet with patients and perform treatments.
Some students choose to pursue an associate's degree in this field, as a bachelor's degree is not always necessary depending on your career goals. You can also continue your education in medical or nursing school to improve skills and find better job opportunities.
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How long an alternative medicine & systems degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 308 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 90 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 334 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,457 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 793 |
Doctoral degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to alternative medicine & systems, at 39.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 39.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 36.5% |
| Master’s degree | 8.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4.4% |
| First professional degree | 3.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.6% |
| Some college courses | 0.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
6 occupations are related to Alternative Medicine & Systems, with an average median salary of $123,770; the strongest outlook belongs to Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other, at 14.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Naturopath, Naturopathic Doctor, Herbalist and Acupuncturist.
Alternative Medicine and Systems graduates go on to find a variety of career options within this field. Graduates have become acupuncturists, homeopathic practitioners, massage therapists, midwifes, or specialists in various types of alternative medical systems that deal with treating patients using herbal remedies and traditional medicines. Graduates work in medical offices where they avoid the use of prescription drugs. With this occupation growing at an average rate, students should be able to find jobs after graduation.
The occupation related to alternative medicine & systems with the most projected jobs is Acupuncturists, at 3,505,781.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Acupuncturists | 3,505,781 | 5.2% |
| Midwives | 3,466,294 | 7.7% |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | 3,105,142 | 1.0% |
| Orthoptists | 2,932,094 | 4.8% |
| Naturopathic Physicians | 2,656,215 | 6.6% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | 2,119,723 | 14.6% |
Alternative Medicine & Systems graduates earn a median $31,215 one year after completing their program, $38,117 after four years and $36,319 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,215 |
| 4 years | $38,117 |
| 5 years | $36,319 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to alternative medicine & systems is Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other, with a median salary of $138,809.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $138,809 |
| Naturopathic Physicians | $138,086 |
| Orthoptists | $135,811 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $117,846 |
| Midwives | $109,643 |
| Acupuncturists | $102,425 |
Alternative Medicine & Systems includes 7 concentrations that together award 2,982 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (1,453), Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (422) and Holistic/Integrative Health (403). It has 30 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 1,034,478 degrees a year; the largest are Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (318,053), Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (110,132) and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (98,474). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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